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^aJ&tn's  Ec^rittts. 


No.  VI. 


THE 


HISTORY 


FIRST  DISCOVERY  AND  SETTLEMENT 


OF 


VIRGINIA.   I 


BY 


WILLIAM   STITH,   A.  M. 


C 


NEW    YORK:    ' 
REPRINTED  FOR  JOSEPH   SABIN. 

1865. 


i 


Two,' Pun;'D.rkd   and   Fifty    Copies   Printed. 


No. 


A  L  V  0  R  D,    P IJ I  N  T  E  E. 


BIBLIOGHAP/IICAL   NOTICE. 


The  Original  Documents  from  which  much  of  this  valu- 
able work  was  compiled  having  been  lately  deftroyed,  and 
the  work  itfelf  being  fcarce,  it  is  hoped  its  reproduftion  will 
be  an  acceptable  contribution  to  American  Hiltory. 

Two  Editions  of  the  work  have  been  publiflied;  the  Firft, 
or  Williamfburg  Edition  (of  which  this  is  a  reprint),  in 
1747,  and  the  London  Reprint  in  1753. 

In  the  "Hiftorical  Magazine,"  Vol,  II,,  page  184,  a  writer, 
under  the  pfeudonym  of  B.  Franklin,  defcribes  what  he 
confiders  'Tzco  Williamfburg  Editions,  but  which  were,  in 
reality,  the  Editions  of  1747  and  1753,  but  probably  having 
titles  alike. 

In  the  fame  Magazine,  Vol.  V.,  page  350,  D,  P.  S  [mith] 
attempts  to  point  out  the  difference  in  the  Editions,  but  falls 
into  a  double  error :  firft,  in  defcribing  the  F/ne  Paper  Wil- 
liamfburg Edition  as  correfponding  with  the  London  Edi- 
tion in  Type,  Lines,  Pages,  and  Ornaments;  and  fecond,  in 
ftating  that  the  "  Poor  Paper  Williamfburg  Edition "  differs 
from  the  Fine  Paper  of  the  fame  place  and  date. 

As  I  have  the  three  varieties  now  before  me,  I  will  en- 
deavour to  defcribe  them. 

The  Firft,  or  Williamfburg  Edition,  of  1747,  appears  to 
have  been  printed  on  two  varieties  of  paper,  both  the  fame 
fize,  and  both  hu'd,  one  being  thicker  than  the  other.  The 
Signatures,  Catchwords,  Ornaments,  &c.,  agreeing  exadly 
with  each  other,  and  the  error  on  page  104,  which  is  printed 
410,  being  alike  in  each. 

Signature  S  is  mispaged.  It  fliould  read  257  inftead  of 
247,  and  fo  on  to  the  end,  adding  10  pages  to  the  whole 
number  (331)  as  they  appear  in  this  reprint. 


VIU 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICE. 


The  fecond  Edition  has  the  following  Title  : — "  The  Hif- 
tory  of  the  Firft  Difcovery  and  Settlement  of  Firgitiia.  By 
William  Stith,  A.  M.,  Prefident  of  the  College  of  IFillLim 
and  Mary  in  Firginia.  Tanta  violis  erat  *  *  *  condere  gentc?n. 
Virg.  rirginia^  Printed :  London,  Reprinted  for  S.  Birt, 
in  AvcMary-Lane.     M.DCC.LIII." 

The  Number  of  Pages,  Signatures,  &c.,  is  the  fame  as  in 
the  Willianilburg  Edition.  The  pagination  runs  on  regularly 
up  to  page  304,  tlien  the  rctto  of  Signature  X  is  paged  295, 
and  fo  on  till  it  terminates  at  page  331  (for  341)  as  in  the 
other  Edition. 

,  ^The   Paper  and  Types  are  the  fame  as  the  Williamlburg 
Fine  Paper,  but  in  other  refpefts  there  are  feveral  variations. 

On  pages  1,  35,  101,  175",  and  176,  the  Ornaments  differ. 

On  pages  21  and  119,  the  London  Edition  has  Signature 
marks  not  in  the  other. 

On  pages  33,  73,  82,  84,  86,  89,  98,  99,  131,  171,  178, 
179,  206,  208,  214,  225,  233,  238,  and  244,  the  Catchwords 
differ;  while  Signature  X  appears  to  be  precifely  the  fame  in 
each  Edition,  and  in  my  copy  of  the  London  Edition^  the 
paper  in  //vV  Signature  differs  from  the  reft  of  the  volume. 

On  page  308  of  the  Williamlburg  Edition,  there  is  a  line 
acrofs  the  page,  over  the  foot-note.  This  is  omitted  in  the 
London  Edition. 

On  page  2  of  the  Appendix,  the  capital  J  is  in  Roman — 
in  the  London  Edition  it  is  in  Italic. 

Joseph  Sabin. 

New  YopvK,   1865. 


THE 


HISTORY 


O  F    T  H  E 


Firfl   DISCOVERY 


AND 


SETTLEMENT 

OF 

VIRGINIA: 

BEING 

An     ESSAY    towards     a    General 
History   of  this   COLONY. 


By  William  Stith,  J.  M. 

Re6lor  of  Henrico  Parifh,  and  one  of  the  Governors  of 
Willi mn  and  Mary  College. 


Tantcc  molis  erat  ***  condere  gentem.         Virg. 


WILLIAMSBURG: 
Printed  by  William  Parks,  M,DCC,XLVII. 


THE 


PREFACE. 


5^  '^      ■^ 


I^^ 


HERE  prefent  the  Reader  with  the  firjl 
Part  of  my  Hijiory  of  our  own  Country. 
When  I  had  left  my  laborious  Employment 
at  the  College,  and  began  to  enjoy  a  little 
Leifure.^  I  could  not  think  myfelf  wholly  dif~ 
charged  from  the  Service  of  the  Publick. 
As  therefore  my  late  Uncle.,  Sir  John  Ran- 
dolph, had  purpofed  to  write  a  Preface  to  our  Laws.,  and 
therein  to  give  an  Hifiorical  Account  of  our  Conjiitution  and 
Government.,  but  was  preveyited  from  projecuting  it  to  EffeSi., 
by  his  tnany  and  weighty  Publick  Employments.,  and  by  the 
vajl  Burthen  of  private  Bufinefs  from  his  Clients.,  I  thought 
the  Hijiory  of  Virginia  luould  be  no  mean  or  unacceptable  Un- 
dertaking. For  fuch  a  Work.,  well  perfortned.,  inujl  naturally 
he  a  great  Satisfaction.,  arid  even  Ornament.,  to  our  Country. 
Befides  which.,  I  was  farther  induced  by  fome  other  Reafons. 
It  is  now  an  hundred  and  forty  Tears.,  ftnce  the  firji  Dif co- 
very  and  Settlement  of  Virginia  ;  and  as  many  ufeful  Papers 
and  Records.,  relating  to  our  Hijiory.,  may  probably  be  found 
at  prefetit.,  which  will  perhaps  be  lo/i  hereafter.,  I  conceived 
it  high  time.,  that  fomething  material  Jhould  be  attempted  in  it. 
For  I  need  not  fay.,  hoiu  empty  and  unfatisfaSlory  every  thing., 
yet  publijhed  upon  the  Subject.,  is  ;  excepting  the  excellent  but 
confufed  Materials.,  left  us  in  Captain  Smith'j  Hijiory. 

If  peak  not  this  with  the  Pride  and  Malevolence  of  an  Au- 
thor., that  would  raife  his  own  Reputation  by  depreciating  his 
Brother  Writers  ;  but  it  is  a  Cenfure  moji  jujily  due  to  thofe., 
zuho  have  yet  meddled  with  our  Hijiory.,  and  which  /,  for 
my  own  Part.,  owe  them.,  for  the  Vexation  and  Difappoint- 
ment  I  met  with.,  in  reading  their  Works.  And  I  can  far- 
ther declare  with  great  Truth.,  that  had  any  thing  of  Confe- 
quence  been  done  in  our  Hi/iory.,  I  could  moft  willingly  have 
faved  myfelf  the   Trouble.,  of  conning  over  our  old  mu/iy  Re- 

A   2  cords., 


iv  The     P   R   E   F   A   C   E. 

cords^  and  of  Jiudying^  conne£i'mg^  and  reconciling  the  jar- 
ring and  disjointed  Writings  and  Relations  of  different  Men 
and  different  Parties.  However.^  I  was  jorry  to  fee  all  our 
Mopes  at  an  End  by  the  Death  of  Sir  John  Randolph  ;  and 
was  unwilling  the  Deftgn  Jhould  be  entirely  abandoned.,  and 
that  our  Hijiory  Jhould  Jiill  remain  in  its  old  Confufion  and 
Uncertainty.  I  had  alfo.,  by  my  Intimacy  with  that  Gentle- 
man., had  the  Sight  and  Perujal  of  many  excellent  Materials 
in  his  Hands  ;  and  thought.,  I  could  not  handjomely  be  denied 
the  "-XJfe  of  any  thing  elje  to  my  Purpofe.,  either  in  our  publick 
Offices.,  or  the  Poffeffion  of  private  Gentlemen. 

I  may  further  add.,  that  I  at  prefent  enjoy  a  perfect  Lei- 
fure  and  Retirement.,  and  am  not  burthened  with  any  publick 
Poft  or  Office.  So  that  fuch  a  Work  ivill  be  a  noble  and  ele- 
gant Entertainment  for  my  vacant  Hours.,  which  it  is  not  in 
my  Poiuer  to  employ.,  more  to  my  own  Satisfaction.,  or  the 
Ufe  and  Benefit  of  my  Country. 

A  S  to  my  Helps  in  carrying  on  this  Work.,  befides  De  Brye'j 
Edition  of  Hariot'j  Treatife  and  With'j'  Cuts  and  Maps.,  and 
befides  cafual  Afftflances  from  fuch  Parts  of  Pure  has,  as  I 
could  procure.,  from  Dr.  Heylen,  and  other  things  in  Print*., 
the  inquifitive  Reader  will  eafily  perceive.,  how  much  of  this 
Volume  is  founded  on  Captain  Smith'j-  Materials.  They  are 
large  and  good.,  and  of  unqueflionable  Authority.,  for  what  is 
related^  whil/i  he  ffaid  in  the  Country.  But  they  are  how- 
ever., as  I  before  obferved.,  vaffly  confujed  and  perplexed.,  and 
took  me  more  Labour  and  Pains  to  dige/i  them.,  than  I  at  firfi 
expe^ed.  The  latter  Part  of  his  Hijiory  alj'o.,  efpecially  from 
Captain  Argall'^  Government.,  is  liable  to  fome  juff  Sujpicion. 
Not  that  I  queffion  Captain  Smith'j  Integrity  ;  for  I  take 
him  to  have  been  a  very  honeji  Man.,  and  a  ffrenuous  Lover 
of  Truth.  But  beiJig  himfelf  abjent  in  thofe  times  upon  other 
Projects.,  and  having  an  Acquaintance  and  Friendjhip  with 
Sir  Thomas  Smith  and  Captain  Argall,  he  feems  chiefly  to 
have  depended  upon  them  and  their  Friends.,  for  his  Account 
of  things.  And  particularly.,  his  Account  of  Captain  Argall'j 
Government  is  exprefy  taken  from  himfelf  and  from  a  Rela- 
tion of  Mr.  Rolfe'j.  Befides  which.,  it  is  evident  that  his 
Miiid  ivas  fomewhat  eagered  by  the  Negle^s  Jhewn  him.,  and 
by  the  Refujal  of  J'ome  juff  Reward  for  his  many  and  great 
Services.  So  that  he  does  not  feem  much  inclined.,  to  think  well 
of  the  Company  or  their  Proceedings.  And  juch  Prejudices 
and  Partialities  do  filently  and  imperceptibly  Jlide  into  the  beff 
and  honeffeff  Minds  ;  and  ought  therefore  to  be  carefully 
watched  and  guarded  againff  by  all  Men.,  but  efpecially  by 
Hijlorians.  But  from  whatever  Caufe  it  proceeded.,  it  is  cer- 
tain., that  he  gave  a  very  wrong  Idea  of  Captain  Argall  and 

his 


The     PREFACE. 

his  Governmeytt^  and  of  the  Reafons  of  the  Diffolut'ion  of  the 
Company^  in  which  he  has  been  itnpUcitely  follozued  by  all  our 
fucceeding  Hijiorians.  And  I  zuould  not  have  the  Reader  fur- 
prifed  to  find  my  Account  of  thofe  Particulars^  fo  very  dif- 
ferent from  all  others^  yet  in  Print.  For  I  affure  him.,  there 
is  not  one  Article.,  fcarce  a  Word.,  in  my  Relation^  which  is 
not  founded  on  the  exprefs  Tejiimony.,  and  the  incontejiible 
Authority.,  of  our  Records  in  the  Capitol.,  arid  the  Company'' s 
^Journals. 

FOR  befides  thefe  printed  Accounts.,  I  have  had  the  greateji 
and  moji  confiderable  Ajfijiances  from  authentick  Manufcripts. 
Sir  John  Randolph'^  Collection  of  publick  Papers.,  and  the 
Capitol  Records.,  have  been  of  no  little  Ufe  to  me.,  and  will  be 
Jiill  of  greater  Service  and  Confequence  in  the  Projecution  of 
the  Work.  But  I  muji  confefs  my f elf  ynoji  endebted.,  in  this 
Part  of  my  Hijhry.,  to  a  very  full  and  fair  Manufcript  of 
the  London  Company'' s  Records.,  which  was  communicated  to 
me  by  the  late  worthy  Prefident  of  our  Council.,  the  Honoura- 
ble William  Byrd,  Efq\  Neither  could  I  well  excufe  myfelf 
if  I  did  not  likewije  acknowledge.,  with  what  Humanity  and 
Politenefs^  that  well  bred  Gentleman  and  Scholar:.,  not  only 
communicated  thofe  Manufcripts  to  me.,  but  aljo  threw  open  his 
Library  {the  beji  and  mo  ft  copious  Colledion  of  Books  in  our 
Part  of  America)  and  was  himfelf  even  ftudious  and  follici- 
tous.,  to  fearch  out  and  give  me.,  whatever  might  be  ufeful  to 
my  Undertaking. 

AS  theje  Records  are  a  very  curious  and  valuable  Piece  of 
the  Antiquities  of  our  Country.,  I  Jloall  give  the  Reader  an 
Account  of  them.,  which  I  received.,  many  Tears  ago.,  in  Con- 
verfation  with  Col.  Byrd  and  Sir  John  Randolph.  /  had 
then  no  Thoughts  of  writing  the  Hijlory  of  Virginia,  and 
therefore  took  lefs  Notice.,  than  I  other-wife  Jhould  have  done. 
However.,  as  I  am  perhaps  the  only  Perfon  now  living.,  any 
thing  acquainted  zuith  their  Hiftory.,  it  will  not  be  improper 
to  give  it  to  the  Reader.,  as  I  judge  it  highly  worthy  of  his 
Knowledge. 

THESE  Records  are  a  fournal  of  the  Company's  Pro- 
ceedings., from  Day  to  Day  ;  and  are  written  in  two  large 
Folio  Volumes.,  on  a  Kind  of  Elephant  Paper.,  generally  in  a 
very  fair  and  legible  Hand.  Each  Page  is  fubfcribed  by  Ed- 
ward Collingwood,  the  Company's  Secretary.,  thus ;  Com. 
Collingwood,  which  is.,  as  I  take  it.,  Compared,  Colling- 
wood. Befides  which.,  there  is  a  Teftification  at  the  End  of 
each  Volume.  At  the  End  of  the  firji.,  under  the  Hands  of 
Edward  Waterhoufe  and  Edward  Collingwood,  Secretaries 
of  the  two  Companies  for  Virginia  and  the  Somer-Iflands,  that 
they  had  compared  that  with   the   Original   Court-Book.,  and 

found 


vi  The     P   R   E   F   A   C   E. 

found  It  to  be  a  true  and  perfect  Copy  of  the  fame^  except  the 
Omiffioit  of  one  Court  and  Part  of  another.  The  fecojid  Vo- 
lu7ne  is  figned  by  the  f aid  Secretary  CoUingwood  and  Thomas 
Collet,    of   the    Middle    Temple,    Gentleman^    tejiifying   the 

fame  things  except  in  a  few  immaterial  Points^  luhere  luere 
wanted  fome  Original  Papers :  Thefe  Volumes  only  contain 
the   Company's  Proceedings  for  a  little  above  five  Tears.,  viz. 

from  April  28,  1619  ^0  June  7,  1624;  including  the  whole 
Time  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys'j-  and  the  Earl  of  Southampton'.r 
Adminiftration.  However  they  are  not  a  brief  and  fummary 
Entry  of  the  principal  Points  and  Matters  concluded  upon., 
according  to  the  common  Methods  of  Courts.,  but  give.,  at 
length.,  the  chief  Speeches.,  Reafons.,  and  Debates.,  that  hap- 
pe)ied  in  their  Courts.,  durmg  that  time.  And  as  it  was  a  Pe- 
riod of  va/i   Conte/i   and  Difpute.,   they   often   recur   back   to 

former  Times  and  Tranfaftions.,  and  thereby  give  us  a  clear 
Idea  and  Account  of  the  chief  Matters  and  Proceedings  of  the 
Company.,  almoji  from  ifs  fir  ft  Injiitution  and  Foundation, 

THIS  Copy  was  taken.,  by  the  Order.,  and  for  the  Ufe.,  of 
the  Earl  of  Southampton,  the  Compajiy' s  Treafurer  at  that 
time ;  who  feeing.,  hoiu  thifigs  zuere  going  luith  the  Company., 
had  their  Records  thus  carefully  copied  and  compared.,  and  au- 
thentically attejied.  Whether  his  Lord/hip  intended  to  Jiand 
Suit  with  the  King  for  the  Rights  and  Privileges  of  the  Com- 
pany., or  whether  he  did  it  only  in  Vindication  of  his  oiun 
and  the  Company' s  Reputation.,  is  uncertain.  However  they 
ivere  carefully  preferved  in  the  Family  \  and  as  the  Original 
Court-Books  luere  taken  from  the  Company  by  the  King  and 
Privy  Council.,  and  never  again  reftored  to  them.,  that  I  can 
find.,  but  probably  dejiroyed  or  lofi.,  this  is  perhaps  the  only 
Copy.,  now  extant.  After  the  Death  of  that  Earl's  Son.,  the 
Duke  of  Southampton  {the  worthy  Partner  in  the  Minijiry 
with  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  after  the  Rejioration)  which 
happened  in  the  Tear  1667,  the  late  Col.  Byrd'j-  Father.,  be- 
ing  then   in   England,   piirchajed  them  of  his  Executors.,  for 

fixty  Guineas.  Afid  thus  have  they  been  handed  down.,  to 
clear  the  Honour  and  Uprightnefs  of  the  Anions  of  that  No- 
bleman and  the  Company.,  and  to  the  full  Conviifion  of  King 
James'j'  arbitrary  and  opprefive  Proceedings  againft  them. 

I  therefore  hope.,  my  Freedom  luith  that  King's  Charader., 
will  need  no  Apology.  For  if  more  than  a  Century  is  not 
enough  to  un-folomonife  that  filly  Monarch.,  I  muji  give  up 
all  my  Notions  of  things.  A  King's  Character.,  whilfi  he 
lives.,  is.,  and  ought  to  be  facred.,  becaufe  his  Authority  de- 
pends upon  it.  But  when  his  Authority.,  the  Reafon  of  it's 
being  facred.,  determines.,  the  Inviolablenefs  of  his  Character 
is  alfo  at  an  End.      And  I  take  it  to  be  the  main  Part  of  the 

Duty 


The     PREFACE. 

Duty  and  Office  of  an  Hijhrian^  to  paint  Men  and  Things 
in  their  true  and  lively  Colours  \  a?id  to  do  that  fujhce  to  the 
Vices  and  Follies  of  Princes  and  great  Men^  after  their 
Death^  which  it  is  not  fafe  or  proper  to  do^  whil/l  they  are 
alive.  And  herein.^  as  I  judge^  chief y  confiji  the  Strength  and 
Excellency  of  Tacitus  and  Suetonius.  Their  Stile  and  Man- 
ner are  far  inferior  to  Livy'j',  and  the  Writers  of  the  Julian 
and  Auguftan  Ages.  But  they  have  more  than  painted.^  and 
expofed  alive  to  Fiew^  the  greateji  Train  of  Mon/iers.^  that 
ever  difgraced  a  Throne.,  or  did  Dijhonour  to  human  Na- 
ture \  and  thereby  have  obtained  to  the?nfelves  a  Rank.,  among 
the  be/l  and  mofi  valuable  Writers.  King  James  /.  fell  in- 
deed far  fhort  of  the  Caefar'j'  fuperlative  Wickedyiefs  and  Su- 
premacy in  Vice.  He  luas.,  at  be/i.,  only  very  fimple  and 
injudicious.,  without  any  Jieady  Principle  of  fuliice  atid  Ho- 
nour ;  tuhich  luas  rendered  the  more  odious  and  ridiculous.,  by 
his  large  and  con/lant  Pretenfions  to  JVifdom  and  Virtue. 
And  he  had.,  in  Truth.,  all  the  Forms  of  IVifdom  \  for  ever 
erring  very  learnedly.,  with  a  ivife  Saw.,  or  Latin  Sentence., 
in  his  Mouth.  For  he  had  been  bred  up  under  Buchanan, 
one  of  the  brightefi  Genius's  and  moji  acco7npliJhed  Scholars 
of  that  Age.,  who  had  given  him  Greek  and  Latin  in  great 
Wajle  and  Profufion.,  but  it  was  not  in  his  Power  to  give 
him  good  Senfe.  That  is  the  Gift  of  God  and  Nature  alone., 
and  is  not  to  be  taught ;  and  Greek  and  Latin  without  it., 
only  cumber  and  overload  a  xveak  Head.,  and  often  render  the 
Fool  more  abundantly  foolijh.  I  mujl  therefore  confefs.,  that  I 
have  ever  had.,  from  my  frji  Acquaintance  ivith  Hiftory.,  a 
mofi  contemptible  Opiyiion  of  this  Monarch  ;  which  has  per- 
haps been  much  heightened  and  increafed.,  by  my  long  fiudying 
and  conning  over  the  Materials  of  this  Hiftory.  For  he  ap- 
pears., in  his  Dealings  luith  the  Company.,  to  have  a^ed  ivith 
fuch  mean  Arts  and  Fraud.,  and  fuch  little  Tricking.,  as  high- 
ly mi/become  Majefly.  And  I  am  juuch  mijiakeyi.,  if  his  ar- 
bitrary Proceedings  and  unjuji  Defigns  xvill  appear  from  any 
Part  of  his  Hijlory  more  fully.,  than  from  thefe  TranJaSiions 
with  the  Company  and  Colony  ;  which  have  been  thus  far  un- 
known to  the  Englifli  Hijiorians.,  and  will  perhaps  be  Jiill 
thought  too  infignificant  for  their  Notice.  However  I  hope., 
my  fpeaking  my  Mind  thus  fincerely  and  impartially  luill  give 
no  Umbrage  or  Offence  to  any  Man.,  or  Party  of  Men.  For 
I  declare  myfelf  to  be  of  no  Party  ;  but  have  laboured  folely 
with  a  View.,  to  find  out  and  relate  the  Truth.  And  as  for 
King  James  /.  /  think  and  fpeak  of  him.,  with  the  fame 
Freedom  and  Indiferency.,  that  I  would  think  and  fpeak  of 
any  other  Alan.,  long  fence  dead ;  and  therefore  I  have  no 
way  reflrained  my  Stile.,  in  freely  expofeng  his  weak  and  in- 
jurious Proceedings  IN 


Vll 


viii  The     PREFACE. 

IN  the  fucceeding  Parts  of  this  Hi/iory^  I  am  afraid^  I 
/hall  meet  with  much  greater  Difficulties^  then  I  have  yet  en- 
countered. For  I  muft  chiejly  depend  on  fuch  of  our  Records^ 
as  are  Jlill  extant.  Many  of  them  doubtlefs  perijhed  in  the 
State-houfe  at  James-Town,  and  by  other  Occidents  ;  and 
thofe.,  which  have  furvived  the  Flames  and  Injuries  of  Time., 
have  been  fo  carelefy  kept.,  are  fo  broken.,  interrupted.,  and 
deficient^  have  been  fo  rnangled  by  Moths  and  IVorins.,  and  lie 
in  fuch  a  confufed  and  jumbled  State  {at  leafi  the  mo  ft  an- 
cient of  them)  being  huddled  together  in  fingle  Leaves  and 
Sheets  in  Books  out  of  the  Binding.,  that  I  forefee.,  it  will  coji 
me  infinite  Pains  and  Labour.,  to  reduce  and  digeji  them  into 
any  tolerable  Order.,  fo  as  to  form  from  them  a  juji  and  con- 
nected Narration.  And  Jome  of  them  have  been  loft.,  even 
fince  Mr.  Hickman  was  Clerk  of  the  Secretary's  Office.  For 
I  cannot  find.,  among  the  Papers  in  our  Offices.,  fome  old  Rolls., 
to  which  he  refers.  I  have  therefore  been  obliged.,  in  a  few 
Points.,  to  depend  upon  the  Fidelity  of  that  Gentleman's  Ex- 
tracts out  of  our  oldeft  Records.,  made  for  the  Ufe  of  Sir  John 
Randolph.  But  thefe  things  were  fo  far  from  difcour aging 
and  rebuffing  me.,  that  they  were  rather  an  additional  Spur  to 
my  Induftry.  For  I  thought  it  highly  neceffiary.,  before  they 
were  entirely  loft  and  dejtroyed.,  to  apply  them  to  their  proper 
Ufe.,  the  forming  a  good  Hiflory.  But  as  the  Houfe  of  Bur- 
geffes.,  in  a  late  Sejfion.,  upon  my  Jhewing  their  moldering  and 
dangerous  State  to  fome  of  the  Members.,  have  juftly  taken 
them  into  their  Confderation.,  and  have  ordered  them  to  be 
reviewed  and  fairly  tranfcribed.,  I  doubt  not.,  by  their  Affifi- 
ance.,  and  with  the  Help  of  the  late  Sir  John  Randolph'^ 
Papers.,  and  fuch  others.,  as  are  in  the  Hands  of  private 
Gentlemen  in  the  Country.,  and  will  undoubtedly  be  readily 
communicated  to  further  fo  noble  and  fo  ufeful  a  Deftgn.,  to  be 
able  to  collect  and  compofe  a  tolerably  regular  and  complete 
Hiftory  of  our  Country. 

Varina,  Dec.  lo,  1746. 


THE 


HISTORY 


OF 


VIRGINIA 


B  O  O  K  I. 


f"  """"""""  \"  E  R  Y  Country  hath  it's  Fables  concern- 
V  \  y  V  ^-  ;  ing  it's  Original,  which  give  great  Scope  to 
'^      -■     p;        '  '-  light  and  fanciful  Hiftorians,  but  are  ufually 

*  :  '   pafled  over  with  a  flight  Mention  by  the  folid 

*  .  '  '  ■  and  judicious.  The  late  Difcovery  of  ^me- 
L„,  -  .^V  ■  -  <>->^il  rica^  in  hiftorical  and  well-known  Times, 
might,  one  would  think,  have  exempted  it  from  this  com- 
mon Fate  of  Nations.  Yet  fuch  is  the  Pride  of  fome 
Men  to  feem  of  deep  Reach  and  Infight,  and  to  ftrike 
out  things  untouched  and  unthought  of  by  others,  and 
fuch  their  prepofterous  Delight  in  groping  after  Truth 
in  the  Dark,  and  yet  negleiling  her  in  the  clear  and  me- 
ridian Brightnefs  of  Day,  that  even  this  new  World  hath 
been  endowed  with  it's  fabulous  Age,  and  old  Tales  re- 
vived, or  new  ones  invented,  to  ftretch  it's  Antiquities  be- 
yond Columbus^  and  the  fhort  Date  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  Years.  We  are  therefore  told  of  one  Hanno^  a  Car- 
thagmian  Captain,  who  made  a  Voyage  to  America.  But 
in  what  Age  he  lived,  or  upon  what  Authority  or  Pretext 
the  Story  is  grounded,  I  have  not  been  yet  able  fully  to  dif- 
cover.      Even   the  monftrous   Legends   of  Arthur.^  Malgo^ 

q  B  and 


the   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  I. 

and  Madock^  a  Welch  Prince,  and  of  the  Friar  of  Lynne^ 
who  by  his  black  Art  tranfported  himfelf  to  the  Northern 
Parts  of  America^  have  found  Men  weak  enough  to  be 
the  Relators  and  Propagators  of  them.  Plato\  Fable  alfo 
of  the  Atlantick  Iflands  has  been  applied  to  this  Subject ; 
and  Seneca  the  Tragedian,  who  could  never  yet  obtain  from 
the  Criticks  a  firm  Rank  among  the  beft  and  moft  approved 
Claflicks,  hath  neverthelefs  been  acknowledged  by  the  Hif- 
torians  as  a  true  Prophet,  and  fome  Verfes  of  his  quoted, 
as  containing  a  prediction  of  the  future  Difcovery  and  Set- 
tlement of  America.  But  as  I  have  ever  had  an  utter  Con- 
tempt and  Averfion  for  all  fuch  learned  Trumpery,  and 
have  often  been  difgufted  and  concerned  to  fee  Authors, 
otherwife  of  Judgment  and  Genius,  carried  by  their  Cre- 
dulity too  far  into  thofe  dark  and  uncertain  Trails  of 
Time,"  I  fhall  leave  thefe,  with  other  Stories  of  the  like 
1  N;#ture,  to  their  firft  Authors  or  Inventors,  and  fhall  apply 
.myfelftG  give  a  plain  and  exa6l  Hiftory  of  our  Country, 
'  ey^/iegai'ding  Truth  as  the  firft  requifite  and  principal  Vir- 
tue in  an  Hiftorian,  and  relating  nothing  without  a  fuffici- 
ent  Warrant  and  Authority. 

The  European  Nations  had  continued,  through  all  Ages, 
in  the  moft  profound  Ignorance  of  all  the  reft  of  the  World, 
except  the  beft  Part  of  Europe.^  and  the  moft  obvious  and 
adjacent  Countries  of  Afia  and  Africa.  And  although  the 
attractive  Power  of  the  Loadftone  had  been  long  known 
and  obferved,  yet  it's  Poles,  and  the  wonderful  Qualities 
and  Inclination  of  the  magnetical  Needle,  were  ftill  a  Se- 
cret, till  it  feemed  good  to  Divine  Providence,  that  one 
fohn  Gioia.,  of  Amalfi  in  the  Kingdom  of  Naples.,  difco- 
vered  them  about  the  Year  1300.  This  important  Difco- 
very lay  long  ufelefs,  without  any  Application  to  Naviga- 
tion ;  neither  can  we  certainly  fay,  who  firft  turned  it  to 
this  great  End.  However  the  Ufe  of  the  Sea-Compafs 
crept  in  by  Degrees,  and  was  undoubtedly  the  grand  Inftru- 
ment  and  Foundation  of  all  thefe  later  Difcoveries. 

The  Portuguefe  was  the  firft  Nation  of  Eu7-ope.,  that 
engaged  in  maritime  Expeditions,  in  order  to  explore  and 
difcover  the  unknown  Parts  of  the  World.  ■  For  Prince 
Henry  oi  Portugal  in  the  Year  141 7,  fent  two  fmall  Barks 
to  make  Difcoveries  along  the  Coaft  of  Africa  ;  which  Be- 
ginning, having  fome  Succefs,  was  afterwards  profecuted, 
during  the  Life  of  that  Prince,  under  his  Aufpices  and  Di- 
rection. After  his  Death,  they  ftill  advanced  by  Degrees 
in  their  Trade  and  Difcoveries,  till  at  length  in  the  Year 
i486  they  reached  the  Cape  of  Good-Hope.  But  it  was 
1497,  fi^^  Years  after   the    Difcovery  of  America.^  before 

Vafco 


Book  I.     i:he    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

Vafco  de  Gama^  by  the  Command,  and  in  the  Service,  of 
Emanuel^  King  of  Portugal^  failed  round  that  Cape  to  the 
Eaji-Ind'ies. 

Chrijiopher  Columbus^  a  Genoefe  by  Birth,  a  Perfon  of 
great  Knowledge  and  Experience  in  naval  Affairs,  of  good 
Learning,  and  a  comprehenfive  Mind,  and  being  alfo  led 
perhaps  by  the  late  Difcoveries  of  the  Portuguefe^  was 
ftrongly  pofTefTed  with  a  Notion  of  fome  Lands  to  the 
Weftward,  beyond  the  great  Atlantick  Ocean.  He  there- 
fore firft  offered  his  Service  to  his  native  Country,  the  Re- 
publick  of  Genoa  ;  but  being  reje6led  as  a  whimfical  and 
chimerical  Man,  he  applied  himfelf  to  King  yohn  II.  of 
Portugal^  Henry  VII.  of  England^  and  to  Ferdinand  and 
Ifabel^  King  and  Queen  of  Cajiile.  Many  Years  being 
fpent  in  fruitlefs  Sollicitations,  and  after  much  Vexation  and 
Difappointment,  he  was  at  laft  entertained  in  the  Service  of 
the  King  and  Queen  of  CaJlile^  and  fent  upon  the  Difco- 
very,  which  he  happily  effe£led  the  nth  of  OSiober  1492. 
After  this,  Columbus^  being  animated  with  a  publick  Spirit 
and  a  generous  Principle  of  Glory,  and  the  Spaniards^  be- 
ing as  eagerly  pufhed  on  by  an  infatiable  Thirft  of  Gold, 
fo  ardently  purfued,  and  fo  fuccefsfully  improved  this  firft 
Difcovery,  that  they  foon  became  Mafters  of  vaft  Trades 
of  rich  and  fertile  Country  abounding  in  Gold,  Silver, 
Pearls,  Emeralds,  and  many  other  the  moft  precious  and 
delicious  Produ6ts  of  this  Globe.  The  Portuguefe  likewife, 
altho'  fufficiently  loaded  and  embarraffed  with  their  vaft 
Acquifitions  on  the  Coaft  of  Africa  and  in  the  Eaf -Indies^ 
yet  neverthelefs  found  the  Means  and  Opportunity  to  make 
good  their  great  Difcovery  of  Brazil.  Neither  were  the 
French  entirely  idle  ;  but  they  made  many  vigorous  Efforts 
towards  gaining  a  Share  of  the  Riches  and  Territory  of  this 
new  World. 

The  Englijh  in  the  mean  time,  a  maritime  Nation,  of 
great  Bravery,  and  of  a  bold  and  adventurous  Nature,  lay 
quite  negligent  and  fupine,  and  let  flip  all  Opportunities  in 
thofe  early  Times  of  acquiring  fome  rich  and  ufeful  Pro- 
vinces in  America.  For  altho'  they  had  in  the  Year  1497, 
under  Sebafian  Cabot^  made  the  Difcovery  of  Newfound- 
land^ and  of  the  main  Continent  of  America  from  38  to  68 
Degrees  of  northern  Latitude,  yet  they  made  no  other  Ad- 
vantage of  this  Difcovery,  but  to  fend  out  a  few  fifhing 
Barks  in  common  with  other  Nations  of  Europe.  At  length 
Sir  Humphry  Gilbert^  a  Gentleman  of  great  Reputation  for 
his  Skill  in  naval  Affairs,  and  of  a  high  and  refolute  Spirit, 
undertook  to  fettle  a  Colony  in  Newfoundland.,  a  cold,  bar- 
ren, and  unfruitful  Soil,  and  moft  unfriendly  Clime.      And 

B  2  to 


T:he   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  I. 

to  this  End,  he  obtained  Letters  patent  from  Queen  Eliza- 
beth^ bearing  Date  the  nth  of  fune^  1578- 

These  Letters  patent  granted  "  free  Power  and  Li- 
*'  berty  to  him,  his  Heirs  and  Afligns  for  ever,  to  dif- 
"  cover,  find,  fearch  out,  and  view,  all  fuch  remote, 
"  heathen,  and  barbarous  Lands,  Countries,  or  Territories, 
*'  as  were  not  a6luallv  poffeffed  by  any  Chriftian  Prince  or 
"  People  •,  and  thither  to  lead  and  carry  with  him,  to  travel 
"  thitherward,  and  there  inhabit,  fuch  and  fo  many  of  her 
"  Majefty's  Subjects,  as  would  willingly  accompany  and 
*' join  in  the  Enterprife. 

"And  that  he  ftiould  have,  hold,  occupy,  and  enjoy, 
"  to  himfelf,  his  Heirs  and  Afligns,  for  ever,  all  fuch 
"  Lands,  Countries,  and  Territories,  fo  to  be  difcovered 
"  or  poflefled,  with  the  Rights,  Royalties,  and  Jurifdic- 
"  tions,  as  well  marine  as  other,  within  the  faid  Lands 
"  and  Countries,  or  the  Seas  thereunto  adjoining,  with 
"  full  Power  to  difpofe  thereof  to  her  Majefty's  Subje6ts, 
"  and  of  any  or  every  Part  thereof,  in  Fee-fimple,  or  other- 
*'  wife,  according  to  the  Laws  of  England^  as  nearly  as 
"  conveniently  might  be  ;  paying  to  the  Queen,  her  Heirs 
*'  and  SuccefTors,  for  all  Services,  Duties,  and  Demands 
"  whatfoever,  the  Fifth  Part  of  all  the  Ore  of  Gold  and 
"  Silver,  which  fhould  at  any  time  there  be  gotten  ; 
"  holding  all  the  faid  Lands  and  Countries  of  her  Majef- 
"  ty,  her  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  by  Homage,  and  by  the 
"  Payment  of  the  faid  Fifth  Part,  before  relerved. 

"Moreover  granting  to  him,  his  Heirs  and  AfTigns, 
"  for  ever.  Licence  to  encounter,  expel,  repel,  and  refift 
"  all  Perfon  or  Perfons  whatfoever,  that  fhould  attempt 
'*  to  inhabit  in  the  faid  Countries,  without  his  fpecial 
"  Licence  and  Liking,  or  within  the  Space  of  two  Hun- 
*'  dred  Leagues  of  the  Place,  where  he,  his  Heirs,  or  Af- 
"  figns,  fhould,  within  Six  Years  next  enfuing,  make 
"  their  Dwelling  and  Abode;  provided  the  faid  Countries 
"  were  not  before  planted  or  inhabited,  within  the  aforefaid 
"  Limits,  by  the  Subjects  of  any  Chriftian  Prince,  in  Amity 
"  with  her  Majefty.  And  giving  and  granting  to  him,  his 
"  Heirs  and  Afligns,  for  ever,  full  Power  and  Authority, 
*'  to  take  and  furprife,  by  all  manner  of  Means  whatfo- 
"  ever,  all  and  every  Perfon  and  Perfons,  with  their  Ships, 
"  VefTels,  or  other  Goods  and  Furniture,  that  fhould  be 
"  found  trafficking  within  the  Limits  aforefaid,  without 
"  the  Licence  of  the  faid  Sir  Humphry^  his  Heirs,  or  Af- 
^'figns;  the  Subjects  of  the  Queen's  Realms  and  Domi- 
"  nions,  and  all  other  Perfons  in  Amity  with  her,  being 
"  driven  thither  by  Force  of  Tempeft  or  Shipwreck,  only 
"  excepted.  "And 


Book  I.       The    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

"And  for  uniting  in  more  perfect:  League  and  Amity, 
"  fuch  Lands  and  Countries  with  the  Realms  of  England 
"  and  Ireland^  and  for  the  better  encouragement  of  thofe, 
"  who  would  engage  in  the  Enterprife,  the  Queen  grants 
*'  and  declares,  that  the  faid  Countries,  fo  to  be  pofl'efled 
"  and  inhabited,  fhould  from  thenceforth  be  in  the  Alle- 
"  giance  and  Prote6lion  of  her,  her  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs  ; 
"  and  farther  grants  to  the  faid  Sir  Humphry^  his  Heirs, 
"  and  Afligns,  and  to  every  other  Perfon  or  Perfons,  to 
"  their,  and  every  of  their  Heirs,  that  they,  and  every 
"  of  them,  that  fhould  thereafter  be  inhabiting  in  the  faid 
"  Lands,  Countries,  and  Territories,  fhould  and  might 
"  have  and  enjoy  all  the  Privileges  of  free  Denizens,  or 
"  Perfons  native  of  England ;  any  Law,  Cuftom,  or  U- 
"  fage  to  the  contrary  notwithftanding. 

"And  fhe  farther  grants  to  the  faid  Sir  Humphry^  his 
*'  Heirs  and  Affigns,  for  ever,  full  Power  and  Authority, 
"  to  correal,  punifh,  pardon,  govern  and  rule,  as  well  in 
"  Caufes  capital  or  criminal,  as  civil,  all  fuch  her  Subje6ls 
"  or  others,  as  fhould  adventure  themfelves  in  the  faid 
"  Voyages,  or  fhould  at  any  Time  thereafter  inhabit  the 
"  faid  Lands,  Countries,  or  Territories,  or  fhould  dwell 
"  within  two  hundred  Leagues  of  the  Place  or  Places, 
"  where  the  faid  Humphry^  his  Heirs,  or  Affigns,  or  any 
"  of  his  or  their  Aflbciates,  fhould  inhabit  within  fix  Years 
"  enfuing  the  Date  thereof ;  with  Power  to  conftitute  fuch 
"  Statutes,  Laws,  and  Ordinances,  as  fhould  by  him,  the 
"  faid  Sir  Humphry^  his  Heirs,  or  Affigns,  be  devifed  or 
"  eftablifhed,  for  the  better  Government  of  the  faid  Peo- 
"  pie  :  Provided  always,  that  they  fhould  be,  as  near  as 
*'  conveniently  might,  agreeable  to  the  Laws  and  Policy 
"  of  England ;  and  provided  alfo,  that  they  be  not  againft 
"  the  true  Chriflian  Faith,  profefTed  in  the  Church  of 
"  England^  nor  any  way  tend  to  withdraw  the  Subjeits  or 
"  People  of  thofe  Lands  or  Places  from  the  Allegiance  of 
"  the  Queen,  her  Heirs,  or  SuccelTors. 

"Provided  always,  and  fhe  thereby  declares  to  all 
"  Chriftian  Kings,  Princes,  and  States,  that  if  the  faid  Sir 
"  Humphry^  his  Heirs,  or  Affigns,  or  any  other  by  their 
"  Licence  or  Appointment,  fhould  at  any  Time  or  Times 
"  thereafter,  rob  or  fpoil,  by  Sea  or  by  Land,  or  do  any 
"  KQt  of  unjuft  or  unlawful  Hoflility,  to  any  of  the  Sub- 
"  je6ls  of  England^  or  of  any  other  King,  Prince,  or  State, 
"  in  League  or  Amity  with  the  Crown  of  England^  that 
"  then,  upon  fuch  Injury,  or  upon  juft  Complaint  thereof, 
"  the  Queen,  her  Heirs,  or  Succeffors,  fhould  make  open 
"  Proclamation,  within  any  of  the  Ports  of  England  com- 

B   3  "  modious. 


6  rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

"  modious,  that  the  faid  Sir  Humphry^  his  Heirs,  or  Affigns, 
or   any   other,  to  whom   thofe   Letters  patent   might  ex- 
"  tend,  fliould,  within  the  Term  to   be  limited   in  the  faid 
"  Proclamations,  make   full   Reflitution  and  Satisfaftion  for 
"  all   Injuries  fo  done  :    In  Default   whereof,   it  fhould  be 
lawful   for  the   Queen,  her  Heirs,  or  SuccefTors,  to  put 
the  faid   Sir  Humphry^  his   Heirs,   or   Afligns,  with   his  or 
their  Adherents,  and  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the  faid  Pla- 
ces,  out   of  their   Allegiance   and    Protection  ;    and    that 
"  from  fuch  Time  as  they  fliould  be  fo  put  out  of  the   Pro- 
tection of  the  Crown  of  England^  it  fhould  be  free  for  all 
"  Princes   and   others,  to    purfue    them   with    Hoftility,  as 
"  being  no  longer  SubjeCls  of  England^  nor  by  the  Queen, 
her   Heirs,  or  Succeflbrs,  any  ways  to  be  avowed,  main- 
"  tained,  or  defended." 

I  N  Confequence  of  thefe  ample  Powers  and  Privileges, 
Sir  Humphry  Gilbert^  with  the  Conjunction  and  Affiitance 
of  many  other  Gentlemen,  prepared  to  put  to  Sea  with  a 
noble  Fleet.  But  juft  on  the  Point  of  Departure,  upon  fome 
Difagreement  and  Diflention,  he  was  deferted  by  his  Aflb- 
ciates,  and  left  with  only  a  few  of  his  firm  and  faithful 
Friends.  With  thefe,  however,  he  ventured  to  Sea,  but 
having  been  expofed  to  fome  Misfortunes,  and  loft  a  large 
Ship  of  his  Fleet,  he  was  obliged  to  return  without  effeCting 
any  thing.  Thefe  expenfive  and  unsuccefsful  Preparations 
had  fo  impaired  his  Fortune,  that  it  was  1583,  before  he 
made  any  farther  Attempt.  But  then  having  fold  his  Eftate, 
and  being  joined  by  divers  Gentlemen  of  Fortune,  he  again 
fet  Sail  with  two  Ships  and  three  fmall  Barks.  Coming  be- 
fore St.  John's  Harbour  in  Newfoundland^  he  was  refufed 
Entrance  by  the  fifliing  Veffels  within,  to  the  Number  of 
thirty-fix  Sail,  of  all  Nations.  He  therefore  prepared  to 
make  his  Way  good  by  Force  of  Arms  ;  but  firft  fent  his 
Boat  in  to  inform  them,  that  he  had  a  Commiflion  from 
the  Queen,  to  take  Pofl'eflion  of  thofe  Lands  for  the  Crown 
of  England.  Queen  Elizabeth's  Name  was  reverenced 
through  all  Europe^  and  her  Power  and  Authority  at  Sea,  in 
particular,  much  honoured  and  revered.  Thefe  Fifhing- 
Barks  therefore  readily  fubmitted,  and  even  made  a  Contri- 
bution of  Provifions  to  fupply  the  Wants  of  this  fmall 
Fleet. 

After  this,  Sir  Humphry  went  aftiore,  being  conduct- 
ed by  all  the  Englijh  there  ;  and  having  caufed  a  Tent  to 
be  fet  up  in  View  of  the  Bay  and  Veffels,  being  attended 
by  his  Captains,  Mafters,  Gentlemen,  and  Soldiers,  he 
fummoned  all  the  Merchants  and  Mafters,  both  Englijh  and 
Foreigners,  to  be  prefent  at  his  taking  a  formal  and  folemn 

Poffeffion 


Book  I.       "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Pofleflion  of  the  Country.  He  then  caufed  his  Commiflion 
to  be  openly  read,  and  to  be  interpreted  to  thofe  who 
were  Strangers  to  the  Englifh  Tongue.  By  Virtue  of 
this  Commiflion,  he  declared,  that  he  took  Pofleflion  of 
the  Harbour  of  St.  y^/^w's,  and  of  the  Territory  two  hun- 
dred Leagues  every  way,  and  inverted  her  Majefl:y  with  the 
Title  and  Dignity  thereof.  And  having  had  a  Twig  and  a 
Turf  of  the  Soil  delivered  to  him,  he  entered  Pofleflion  alfo 
for  himfelf,  his  Heirs,  or  Afligns,  for  ever.  He  further 
fignifled  to  thofe  prefent,  and  through  them  to  all  Men, 
that,  from  thenceforward,  they  (hould  look  upon  thofe  Ter- 
ritories as  appertaining  to  the  Queen  of  England^  and  upon 
himfelf,  as  authorifed  by  her  Majefl:y  to  poffefs  and  enjoy 
them,  with  Power  to  ordain  Laws,  under  which  all  Peo- 
ple coming  thither  for  the  future,  either  to  inhabit  or  to 
trade,  fhould  fubmit  themfelves  and  be  governed.  And  to 
exercife  his  Power  and  Jurifdi6lion,  he  enabled  three  Laws, 
immediately  to  take  Place  and  be  of  Force  ;  and  granted  di- 
vers Parcels  of  Land,  lying  by  the  Sea  Side,  as  well  in  the 
Harbour  of  St.  John'?,^  as  elfewhere. 

After  fome  Excurfions  to  fearch  the  Country,  and 
the  pretended  Difcovery  of  a  Silver  Mine,  with  which  Sir 
Humphry  was  much  gulled  and  delighted,  they  fet  Sail  to 
the  Southward^  in  order  to  explore  and  difcover  the  main 
Coafl:  of  America.  But  falling  among  fome  Shoals,  and 
meeting  with  very  bad  and  tempefl:uous  Weather,  after 
having  undergone  much  Danger  and  Fatigue,  they  refolved 
to  return  for  England.  Sir  Humphry.^  the  better  to  fearch 
the  Coafl:,  and  to  run  up  into  Creeks  and  Harbours,  had 
gone  on  board  a  fmall  Bark  of  ten  Tons  ;  and  could  not 
afterwards  be  perfuaded  to  leave  her  in  their  Return  home- 
wards, till  her  Lights  were  fuddenly  extinguifhed  in  the 
Night,  at  which  Time  fhe  was  fuppofed  to  fink,  and  was 
never  after  feen  or  heard  of. 

The  learned  and  valiant  Mr.  Walter  Ralegh  was  half 
Brother  to  Sir  Humphry  Gilbert  \  his  Father  having  married 
Sir  Humphry's  Mother,  when  a  Widow,  and  had  by  her 
this  his  fourth  and  youngeft  Son,  with  fome  other  Children. 
Led  by  this  near  Relation,  and  being  alfo  a  Perfon  of  a  noble 
and  enterprifmg  Genius,  he  had  been  one  of  the  principal 
Adventurers  in  this  Undertaking  of  Sir  Humphry.,  and  had 
fitted  out,  entirely  at  his  own  Charge,  the  largefl:  Ship  of 
his  Fleet,  called  the  Ralegh  Bark.  Some  Authors  fay,  he 
went  himfelf  upon  the  Expedition,  and  commanded  his  own 
Ship  in  Perfon.  But  however  that  might  be,  it  is  certain, 
this  Ship  was,  within  a  few  Days,  obliged  to  put  back  to  Pli- 
ynouth.,  greatly  difl:reflred  by  a  violent  and  contagious  Sick- 
B  4  nefs 


The   History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

nefs  among  her  Company.  But  notwithftanding  this  Dif- 
appointment,  and  the  unhappy  End  of  his  rafh  and  unfor- 
tunate Brother,  Mr.  Ralegh  was  not  difcouraged  ;  but  being 
moved  with  the  Voyages  and  Relations  of  others,  he  flill 
perfifted  in  the  Defign  of  difcovering  and  making  a  Settle- 
ment in  Jinerica.  He  therefore  obtained  Letters  patent 
from  Queen  Elizabeth^  of  whom  he  was  at  that  Time  one 
of  the  chief  Favourites,  bearing  Date  the  25th  of  March^ 
1584,  for  difcovering  and  planting  any  fuch  Lands  and 
Countries,  as  were  not  already  in  the  a6lual  poffeflion  of 
any  Chriftian  Nation.  Thefe  Letters  patent  are  in  Hack- 
/uyt's  Colle6lion  of  Voyages  ;  but  that  Book  is  fo  very  rare, 
that  our  Country  does  not  afford  one  Copy  of  it,  at  leaft 
that  I  could  find  out  or  procure.  I  have  not  therefore  been 
able  to  obtain  a  Sight  of  thefe  Patents  ;  but  we  are  told, 
that  they  were,  mutatis  mutandis^  the  very  fame  with  thofe 
granted  to  Sir  Humphry  Gilbert ;  of  which  I  have  therefore 
before  given  a  particular  Extra6l. 

About  the  fame  Time,  the  Queen  granted  Mr.  Ralegh 
another  Patent,  to  licence  the  Vending  of  Wine  throughout 
the  Kingdom  ;  which  was  defigned,  as  it  has  been  fuppofed, 
to  enable  him  by  the  Profits,  that  would  thence  arife,  to 
fuftain  the  vaft  Charges  which  this  Undertaking  of  a  Colo- 
ny would  neceflarily  bring  upon  him.  But  yet  the  better 
to  ftrengthen  himfelf,  and  carry  on  the  Affair,  he  perfua- 
ded  divers  other  Gentlemen  and  Merchants  to  join  with 
him  ;  particularly  his  noble  and  gallant  Kinfman,  Sir  Rich- 
ard Greenvil^  and  Mr.  IVilliam  Sanderfon^  who  had  mar- 
ried his  Neice,  and  was  much  engaged  among  the  Merchant 
Adventurers  of  that  Time  ;  and  was  alfo  one  of  the  Queen's 
Commiffioners  for  the  Spanijh  Prizes,  and  of  Note  for  the 
great  Globes,  which,  by  his  Encouragement,  were  firfl 
brought  to  Perfe6lion.  They  therefore,  with  all  conve- 
nient Speed,  provided  two  fmall  Veffels,  and  having  plenti- 
fully furnifhed  them  with  Neceffaries,  put  them  under  the 
Command  of  Captain  Philip  Atnidas^  and  Captain  Arthur 
Barlow  ;  which  laft  was  alfo  a  Land-Oflicer,  and  had  ferved 
under  Mr.  Ralegh  in  the  Wars  of  Ireland^  with  great  Bra- 
very and  Honour.  But  Mr.  Ralegh^  being  hindered  by  his 
Employments,  and  too  bufily  engaged  in  his  ambitious  Pur- 
fuits  at  Court,  did  not  come  himfelf  upon  the  Expedition, 
as  hath  been  generally,  tho'  erroneoully,  thought. 

On  the  27th  of  Jpril^  1584,  thefe  Adventurers  fet  Sail 
from  the  Thames ;  and  having  paffed  by  the  Canaries  and 
the  Wejl-Indies^  (a  Circuit  both  needlefs  and  unhealthy, 
but  through  the  Inexperience  of  thofe  Times  thought  ne- 
ceffary  )  they  fell  in,  on  the  2d  of  fuly^  with  the  Coafl  of 

Florida. 


l^ook  I.       TZv   History    of  VIRGINIA. 

Florida.  For  that  was  the  Name  which  all  this  Northern 
Continent  from  Cape  Florida  then  bore,  there  being  yet  no 
diftintSl  Settlements,  which  gave  particular  Names  to  the 
feveral  Places  along  the  Coaft.  They  were  met  at  Sea 
with  a  moft  delicate  and  delightful  Smell ;  and  foon  after 
making  the  Land,  they  coalled  it  along  for  about  an  hun- 
dred and  twenty  Miles,  without  finding  any  convenient 
Harbour.  The '  firft  they  faw,  they  entered  with  much 
Difficulty  ;  and  having  returned  Thanks  to  God,  they  went 
afhore  to  view  the  Country,  and  to  take  Poflellion  of  it  in 
the  Qiieen's  Name.  The  Place  of  their  firft  Landing  was 
a  low  and  fandy  Beach  \  but  it  yielded  fuch  a  wonderful 
Abundance  of  Grapes,  as  very  much  furprifed  and  delighted 
them.  Every  little  Shrub  was  covered  with  them,  and  the 
Tops  of  the  talleft  Cedars  were  over-run  and  loaded  with 
their  Clufters. 

They  concluded,  that  the  Place  of  their  Landing  was  on 
the  main  Continent  of  America  \  but  going  up  to  the  Top 
of  a  fmall  Eminence  at  a  little  Diftance  from  the  Shore, 
they  perceived  it  to  be  an  Ifland,  of  about  twenty,  or  as  Mr. 
Hariot  judged,  of  fifteen  Miles  in  Length,  and  fix  in  Breadth. 
This  Ifland  was  called  JVococon.,  and  lay  between  Cape  Hat- 
teras  2iX\^  Cape  Fear;  and  muft  therefore  be  the  Ifland  of 
Ocacock.,  or  at  leaft  fome  of  the  other  fmall  Iflands  along 
that  Coaft.  For  it  cannot  be,  by  With  and  Hariot's  Plan, 
Roanoke.^  or  any  other  of  thofe  which  befet  and  ftop  up  the 
Mouth  of  Albemarle  Sound,  in  North-Carolina.,  as  has  been 
commonly  fuppofed.  It  was  covered  with  tall  and  ftately 
Trees,  Cedars,  Pines,  Cyprefs,  Safl'afras,  and  many  others 
of  excellent  Smell  and  Quality  ;  and  abounded  in  Deer,  Co- 
nies, and  Wild-fowl,  in  incredible  Numbers. 

They  faw  none  of  the  Natives,  'till  the  third  Day  after 
their  Landing,  when  they  fpied  three  in  a  Canoe.  One  of 
them  went  afliore,  and  waited  without  any  Signs  of  Fear, 
till  the  Englifi  rowed  to  him.  He  fpoke  much  to  them  in 
his  own  Language,  and  then  went  boldly  aboard  their  Vef- 
fels.  They  gave  him  a  Shirt,  a  Hat,  Wine,  and  Meat, 
with  which  he  was  much  pleafed.  Having  attentively 
viewed  every  thing,  he  went  away  ;  and  within  half  an 
Hour  he  had  loaded  his  Canoe  with  Fifh,  which  he  brought 
and  divided  between  the  Ship  and  the  Bark. 

The  next  Day  feveral  Canoes  came,  and  in  one  of  them 
the  King's  Brother.  His  Name  was  Granganameo ;  the 
King  was  called  Wingina^  and  the  Country  Wingandacoa. 
The  King  himfelf  at  that  Time  lay,  at  his  chief  Town,  ill 
of  the  Wounds  which  he  had  lately  received  in  a  Battle. 
Granganameo.^  leaving  his  Canoes  at  fome  Diftance,  went 
^  to 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

to  the  Point  of  Land  where  the  Englifi  had  gone  to  the 
Indian  the  Day  before.  Having  fpread  a  Mat,  he  fat  down 
upon  it ;  and  when  the  Engl'ijh  came  to  him  well  armed, 
he  fliewed  no  Fear  ;  but  made  Signs  to  them  to  fit  down, 
ftroaking  his  own  Head  and  Breaft,  and  then  theirs,  to  ex- 
prefs  his  Love.  The  Natives  were  a  proper,  well-propor- 
tioned People,  very  civil  in  their  Behaviour,  and  highly  re- 
fpeilful  to  Granganarneo.  For  none  of  them  fat  down,  or 
fpoke  a  Word  in  his  Prefence,  except  four  ;  on  whom  the 
Englijh  alfo  beftowed  Prefents.  But  Granganarneo  took 
them  all  from  them,  and  made  Signs,  that  every  thing  be- 
longed to  him.  After  fome  fmall  Traffick,  he  went  away ; 
but  returning  in  two  Days,  he  eat  and  drank  very  merrily 
with  them.  Not  long  after,  he  brought  his  Wife  and 
Children  on  board.  They  were  of  mean  Stature,  but  well- 
favoured,  and  very  bafhful  and  modeft.  His  Wife  had  a 
Band  of  white  Coral  about  her  Forehead,  and  Bracelets  of 
Pearl  in  her  Ears,  hanging  down  to  her  Middle,  of  the 
Bignefs  of  large  Peafe.  As  to  the  reft,  they  were  decked 
with  red  Copper,  and  fuch  Ornaments,  as  are  at  prefent  in 
Fafhion  and  Efteem  among  our  Indians. 

After  this,  there  came  down,  from  all  Parts,  great 
Numbers  of  People,  with  Leather,  Coral,  and  divers  Kinds 
of  Dyes.  But  when  Granganarneo  was  prefent,  none  durft 
trade  but  himfelf,  and  thofe,  who  wore  red  Copper  on  their 
Heads,  as  he  did.  He  would  have  engaged  a  Bag  of  Pearl 
for  a  Suit  of  Armour  ;  but  the  Englijh  refufed,  as  not  re- 
garding it,  that  they  might  thereby  the  better  learn,  where 
it  grew.  He  was  very  juft  to  his  Promife,  for  they  often 
trufted  him,  and  he  never  failed  to  come  within  his  Day  to 
keep  his  Word.  He  commonly  fent  the  EngliJJ)  every  Day 
a  Brace  of  Bucks,  Conies,  Hares,  and  Fifh  ;  and  fometimes 
Melons,  Walnuts,  Cucumers,  Peafe,  and  divers  Kinds  of 
Roots.  And  the  Englijh^  to  try  the  Strength  and  Goodnefs 
of  the  Soil,  put  fome  of  their  Peafe  into  the  Ground,  which 
grew  wonderfully,  and  were  found  in  ten  Days  time  four- 
teen Inches  high. 

A  N  Acquaintance  being  thus  contracted  by  mutual  Re- 
turns of  Kindnefs  and  Beneficence,  Captain  Amidas^  with 
feven  more,  ventured  up  the  River  Occam^  as  they  call  it, 
which  muft  be  Pamptico  Sound.  The  next  Evening  they 
came  to  the  Ifle  of  Roanoke.^  at  the  Mouth  of  Albemarle 
Sound,  about  feven  Leagues,  as  they  fay,  from  the  Har- 
bour, where  they  firft  entered.  But  this  is  a  grofs  Miftake, 
and  muft  be  an  Error  in  the  Copy.  For  by  the  Scale  in 
With'%  Map,  it  cannot  be  lefs  than  thirty  Leagues,  from 
Wococon   to    Roanoke.      On  this  Ifland  they  found  a  fmall 

Town, 


Book  I.      rZv    History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Town,  confifting  of  nine  Houfes  ;  in  one  of  which  Gran- 
ganameo  lived.  He  was  abfent ;  but  his  Wife  entertained 
them  with  wonderful  Courtefy  and  Kindnefs.  She  made 
fome  of  her  People  draw  their  Boat  up,  to  prevent  it's  be- 
ing injured  by  the  Beating  of  the  Surge  \  fome  file  ordered 
to  bring  them  afhore  on  their  Backs  ;  and  others,  to  carry 
their  Oars  to  the  Houfe,  for  P"ear  of  being  ftole.  When 
they  came  into  the  Houfe,  fhe  took  off  their  Cloaths  and 
Stockings,  and  wafhed  them,  as  likewife  their  Feet  in  warm 
Water.  When  their  Dinner  was  ready,  they  were  con- 
du6led  into  an  inner  Room  (for  there  were  five  in  the  Houfe, 
divided  by  Mats)  where  they  found  Hominy'^ ^  boiled  Veni- 
fon,  and  roafted  Fifh ;  and  as  a  Defert,  Melons,  boiled 
Roots,  and  Fruits  of  various  Sorts.  While  they  were  at 
Meat,  two  or  three  of  her  Men  came  in  with  their  Bows 
and  Arrows,  which  made  the  Englijh  take  to  their  Arms. 
But  flie,  perceiving  their  Diftruft,  ordered  their  Bows  and 
Arrows  to  be  broken,  and  themfelves  to  be  beaten  out  of 
the  Gate.  In  the  Evening  the  EngUJ})  returned  to  their 
Boat ;  and  putting  a  little  off  from  Shore,  lay  at  Anchor. 
At  which  fhe  was  much  concerned,  and  brought  their  Sup- 
per, half  boiled.  Pots  and  all  to  the  Shore  Side  ;  and  feeing 
their  Jealouly,  fhe  ordered  feveral  Men,  and  thirty  Wo- 
men, to  fit  all  Night  upon  the  Shore,  as  a  Guard  ;  and  fent 
five  Mats  to  cover  them  from  the  Weather.  In  fhort,  fhe 
omitted  nothing,  that  the  mofl  generous  Hofpitality  and 
hearty  Defire  of  pleafing  could  do,  to  entertain  them. 

And  this  was  the  fartheft  Difcovery  made  upon  this  firft 
Voyage,  except  fome  confufed  and  uncertain  Accounts  of 
the  Country,  which  they  gathered  from  the  Indians.  They 
returned  to  England  about  the  Middle  of  Septe?nber.,  carry- 
ing with  them  two  of  the  Natives,  Manteo  and  IVanchefe  ; 
and  their  Difcovery  was  fo  welcome  there,  that  the  Queen 
herfelf  was  pleafed  to  name  the  Country  Virginia,  in 
Memory  of  it's  having  been  firft  found  out  in  the  Reign  of 
a  Virgin  Queen.  Or  as  fome  have  been  pleafed  to  glofs 
and  interpret  it,  becaufe  it  flill  feemed  to  retain  the  Virgin 
Purity  and  Plenty  of  the  firfl  Creation,  and  the  People  their 
primitive  Innocency  of  Life  and  Manners.  And  foon  after 
their  Return,  Mr.  Ralegh  was  elected,  together  with  Sir 
William  Courtenay.,  Knight  of  the  Shire  for  the  County  of 
Devon.  On  the  14th  of  December.,  he  caufed  a  Bill  to  be 
brought  into  the  Houfe,  to  confirm  his  Patent  for  difcover- 
ing  foreign  Countries  ;  which  being  committed  to  Mr.  Vice- 
Chamberlain    Hatton.,     Secretary    Walfingham.,     Sir    Philip 

Sidney^ 

*  A  Food  made  of  Indian  Corn,  or  Maize,  beaten  and  carefully  hufked, 
fomething  like  Furmety  in  England -,  and  is  an  excellent  Diih  various  Ways. 


rZv   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

Sidney^  Sir  Francis  Drake^  Sir  Richard  Greenvil^  Sir  Wil- 
Uam  Courtenay^  and  others,  it  was  in  a  few  Days  paffed,  af- 
ter many  Arguments  and  a  Provifo  added.  And  not  long 
after,  the  Queen  was  pleafed  to  Knight  him,  upon  Occa- 
fion,  it  is  faid,  of  this  grateful  Difcovery.  But  Mr.  Of- 
horne^  an  ingenious  Obferver  on  her  Reign,  fays  with  Re- 
fpe6l  to  Sir  Francis  Vere^  a  Man  nobly  defcended,  and  Sir 
Walter  Ralegh^  exaftly  qualified,  that  they,  with  fuch  o- 
thers,  were  fet  apart  in  her  Judgment  for  military  Services. 
Neither  did  fhe  ever  raife  them  above  Knighthood  ;  faying, 
when  follicited  to  make  Vere  a  Baron,  That  in  his  proper 
Sphere,  and  her  Eftimation,  he  was  above  it  already. 
^585-  The  advantageous  Accounts,  which  thefe  firft  Adven- 

turers gave  of  the  Fertility,  Pleafantnefs,  and  Wholefome- 
nefs  of  the  Country,  induced  Sir  Richard  Grecnvil  himfelf 
to  make  a  Voyage  thither  the  next  Year.  And  he  accord- 
ingly fet  out  from  Pli?nouth  the  9th  of  April^  with  feven 
Ships.  Having  made  the  ufual  Circuit  of  the  Canaries  and 
Wejl-Indies^  where  they  took  two  rich  Spani/h  Prizes,  and 
forced  a  profitable  Trade,  they  fell  in  with  the  Continent 
of  America  near  Cape  Fear.,  and  were  in  great  Danger  of 
being  loft  upon  it.  But  having  happily  efcaped,  they  came 
to  an  Anchor  off  the  Ifland  of  Wococon  the  26th  of  May. 
They  immediately  fent  to  the  Ifle  of  Roanoke.,  to  Wiyigina 
the  King  ;  and  Mr.  Arundel  went  to  the  Main,  with  Man- 
teo.,  who  proved  throughout  their  whole  Stay,  very  faithful 
and  ufeful  to  them.  Soon  after,  the  General,  Sir  Richard 
Greenvil.,  went  himfelf  to  the  Main,  with  a  fele6l  Body  of 
Men;  and  ranging  about,  difcovered  feveral  Indian^T^owns. 
At  one  of  them  the  Indians  ftole  a  Silver  Cup  ;  for  which 
they  burnt  their  Town,  and  deftroyed  their  Corn,  and  fo 
returned  to  their  Ships  at  IVococon.  At  Hatteras.,  whither 
they  went  foon  after,  Granganameo.,  the  King's  Brother, 
came  aboard  the  Admiral  with  Manteo.  This  is  the  laft 
Vifit  he  made  to  the  EngUfi  ;  for  fometime  this  Year  he 
died,  and  in  him  they  loft  a  fincere  and  hearty  Friend. 

Sir  Richard  Greenvil^  having  only  made  that  fmall  Ex- 
curfion  on  the  Continent,  returned  to  England  this  Sum- 
mer. In  his  Way  home,  he  took  another  Spatiijl)  Prize,  of 
three  hundred  Tons,  richly  laden,  and  with  her  arrived  at 
PUmouth  the  1 8th  of  September.  But  he  left  behind  him 
an  hundred  and  eight  Perfons,  as  a  Colony,  to  keep  Poffef- 
fion  of,  and  inhabit  the  Country.  Of  thefe  he  conftituted 
Mr.  Ralph  Lane  Governor,  a  military  Man  of  Note,  who 
was  afterwards  Knighted,  and  applying  himfelf  to  the  Sea 
Service,  was  of  eminent  Command  in  the  Englijl)  Navy. 
With  him    remained    Captain    Philip    Ainidas.,  as    Admiral, 

-  one 


Book  I.       rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA. 

one  of  the  Commanders  in  Chief  in  the  firft  Adventure  ; 
Mr.  Thomas  Hariot  \  Captain  Stafford;  Mr.  Kendal;  with 
feveral  others  of  Name  in  the  Expedition. 

This  Colony  chofe  Roanoke^  an  Ifland  at  the  Mouth  of 
Albemarle  Sound,  for  the  Place  of  their  Habitation  ;  and 
their  chief  Employment  was  to  reconnoitre  and  view  the 
Country.  Their  fartheft  Difcovery  to  the  Soutlnvard  was 
Secotan^  an  Indian  Town,  by  their  Reckoning,  eighty 
Leagues  from  Roanoke^  lyirig  up  between  the  Rivers  Pamp- 
ticoe  and  Neus^  in  North-Carolina.  To  the  Northivard  they 
went  an  hundred  and  thirty  Miles  to  the  Chefapeakes^  a 
Nation  of  Indians^  feated  on  a  fmall  River,  to  the  South  of 
our  Bay,  now  called  Elfabeth  River,  from  whom,  as  thefe 
firfl:  Difcoverers  tell  us,  the  Bay  itfelf  took  its  Name,  But 
fome  pretend  to  give  another  Derivation  of  this  Word  ;  and 
fay,  that  Chefapeake  fignified,  in  the  Indian  Language,  The 
Mother  of  Waters;  implying,  that  it  was  the  Parent  and 
grand  Refervoir  of  all  the  great  Rivers  within  it.  But  this 
is  a  dark  and  uncertain  Guefs  ;  efpecially  confidering  the 
Unftablenefs  and  vafl  Mutability  of  the  Indian  Tongues, 
and  that  no  body  at  prefent  can  pretend  to  underftand  their 
Language  at  that  time.  The  beft  Authority  that  I  have 
met  with  for  this  Derivation,  is  what  a  Gentleman  of  Cre- 
dit once  aflured  me,  that  in  a  a  very  old  Spanif  Map, 
which  he  had  feen,  our  Bay  was  laid  down  under  the  Name 
of  Madre  des  Acquas^  or  fome  Expreflion  to  the  like  Pur- 
pofe.  This  Town  of  the  Chefapeakes^  we  are  told,  for 
Pleafantnefs  of  Situation,  for  Temperature  of  Clime,  Fer- 
tility of  Soil,  and  Commodioufnefs  to  the  Sea,  was  not  to 
be  excelled  by  any  in  the  World.  To  the  Nortlnvef^  thefe 
Difcoverers  went  up  Albemarle  Sound  and  Choivan  River, 
an  hundred  and  thirty  Miles,  to  a  Nation  of  Indians  called 
the  Chaiuonocks^  inhabiting  above  the  Fork  of  that  River, 
where  one  Branch  takes  the  Name  of  Meherrin^  and  the 
other  of  Nottoivay. 

The  King  of  the  Chaiuonocks^  whofe  Name  was  Me- 
natonon^  was  lame,  but  the  moft  fenfible  and  underftanding 
Indian  they  had  met  with.  He  amufed  Mr.  Lane  and  his 
Company  with  a  Story  of  a  Copper  Mine,  and  of  a  Pearl 
Fiftiery,  which  by  the  Defcription  was  fome  where  upon 
our  Coaft,  and  with  a  ftrange  Relation  of  the  Head  of  the 
River  Moratuc^  now  called  Roanoke.  This  River  was  de- 
fcribed,  as  fpringing  out  of  a  Rock,  fo  nigh  the  Sea,  that 
in  high  Winds  the  Surge  beat  over  into  the  Spring.  And 
the  Englif  very  fanguinely  concluded  this  Sea  to  be  either 
the  Bay  of  Mexico.,  or  the  South  Sea,  or  at  leaft  fome  Arm 
that  opened  into  it.      Having  their  Heads  filled  with  thefe 

chimerical 


r/v   History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

chimerical  Fancies,  thev  formed  manv  Schemes,  and  un- 
dertook a  verv  fatiguing  and  hazardous  Vovage  up  that 
Ri\er.  And  fo  eager  were  thev,  and  refolutelv  bent  upon 
this  golden  Difcoverv,  that  they  could  not  be  perfuaded  to 
return,  as  long  as  they  had  one  Pint  of  Corn  a  A-lan  left, 
and  two  Mallif  Dogs,  which  being  boiled  with  Saflafras 
Leaves,  might  afford  them  fome  Suftenance  in  their  Way 
back.  But  after  fome  Davs  fpent  in  vain,  and  having  un- 
dergone much  Miferv  and  Danger,  they  at  laft  returned,  and 
jovfullv  arrived  at  their  old   Habitation  on  Roanoke  Ifland. 

The  Death  of  Grm^ganameo  had  caufed  a  great  Altera- 
tion in  the  Affairs  of  the  Colonv.  For  whilff  he  lived,  his 
Credit  with  the  King,  joined  to  the  Intereft  of  Enfenore^ 
their  Father,  had  reftrained  his  Perfidv  and  Alalice,  and 
kept  him  within  Bounds.  But  upon  the  Death  of  Granga- 
nameo^  he  changed  his  Name  from  IFingitja  to  Pemijfapan^ 
and  became  a  fecret  but  bitter  Enemy  to  the  Englijh.  To 
his  Machinations  chiefly  were  owing  the  manv  Hardfhips 
and  Dangers,  thev  had  encountered  in  their  laff  Journev  up 
the  River  Chozvan.  For  he  had  given  fecret  Intellig-ence  to 
thofe  Indians  of  the  coming  of  the  Englijh  \  and  had  craf- 
tily infituated  Jealoufies  into  the  Indians  of  the  Englijh^  and 
into  the  Englijh  of  the  Indians.  But  a  Rumour  being  fpread, 
that  Mr.  Lane  and  his  Company  were  all  either  flain  or 
flarved  in  this  Journey,  he  began  to  a£l  more  openly.  He 
blafphemed  the  God  of  the  Englijh^  and  endeavoured,  by 
all  the  Devices  he  could,  to  hurt  and  annoy  them.  And 
Enfenore^  his  aged  Father,  the  beft  Friend  the  Englijh  had 
left  after  the  Death  of  Granganameo.^  lofl  all  his  Credit  to 
affifl  or  ferve  them.  But  their  Return  foon  after,  and  their 
bringing  the  Son  of  Menatonon^  their  greateft  King,  Pri- 
foner,  joined  to  the  Teftimonies  of  Ji^Ianteo^  and  three  other 
Indians.,  that  went  with  them,  how  little  they  valued  any 
People  thev  met,  or  feared  Hunger,  Death,  or  anv  thing 
elfe,  reftrained  his  Devices  for  the  prefent,  and  brought  Enj'e- 
yiore  again  into  Credit  and  Efteem. 
1586.  Soon  after,   Alenatonon.,   King  of  the    Chaivonocks.,   fent 

a  Prefent  of  Pearl  to  Mr.  Lane  ;  and  Okifco.,  King  of  Weo- 
po?neoke.,  (another  powerful  Nation,  pofleiling  all  that 
Country  from  Albemarle  Sound  and  Chowan  River,  quite 
to  the  Chefapeakes  and  our  Bav)  came  himfelf,  with  twenty 
four  of  his  principal  Men,  to  own  Subjection  to  the  Queen 
of  England.  All  which  fo  wrought  on  the  Heart  of  IVin- 
gina.,  that  by  Enfenore^s  Perfuafions,  they  came  and  made 
Weirs  for  the  Englijh.,  when  they  were  ready  to  famifh, 
and  planted  their  Fields  of  Corn,  which  they  intended  to 
abandon.      But  this  good  Intelligence  was  foon  broke  off  by 

the 


Book  I.        T:he   History   ^/VIRGINIA. 

the  Death  of  Enfenore^  which  happened  on  the  20th  of  A- 
■pril.  For  Wingina^  under  Pretence  of  folemnizing  his  Fa- 
ther's Funeral,  had  laid  a  Scheme  of  drawing  together  fix- 
teen  or  eighteen  hundred  Indians^  and  of  cutting  off  all  the 
EngU/J}  at  once.  But  his  Defign  took  Wind,  and  was  at 
laft  fully  difcovered  to  Mr.  Lane  by  his  Prifoner  Skico^  K!ing 
Menatonon's  Son.  Then  the  Englifh^  in  their  Turn,  en- 
deavoured to  feize  all  the  Canoes  upon  Roanoke^  and  there- 
by to  have  all  the  Indians  in  the  Ifland  at  their  Mercy.  But 
they  took  the  Alarm,  and  after  a  fmall  Skirmifh,  in  which 
five  or  fix  Indians  were  flain,  the  reft  efcaped  and  fled  into 
the  Woods.  After  this,  neither  Side  cared  much  for  truft- 
ing  the  other  ;  and  at  laft:,  after  much  Tricking  and  Difli- 
mulation  on  both  Parts,  IVingina  was  entrapped  by  the 
Englijh^  and  flain,  with  eight  of  his  chief  Men.  This  is 
the  Account  of  that  A6lion,  as  it  is  delivered  by  the  Per- 
fons  concerned  in  it.  But  I  find,  that  Mr.  Hariot^  who 
was  likewife  upon  the  Spot,  blames  the  Violence  and  For- 
wardnefs  of  the  Englijh  \  and  thinks,  that  the  Caufes  of 
Sufpicion  and  Refentment  had  been  better  difi^embled  and 
pafl'ed  over. 

I  N  the  Time  of  thefe  Confufions  and  Broils  with  the  In- 
dians^ Mr.  Lane  had  been  obliged,  through  Want  of  Pro- 
vifions,  to  fend  Captain  Stafford^  with  twenty  more,  to 
Croatan^  on  the  South  Part  of  Cape  Look-out^  to  fhift  for 
themfelves,  and  to  fee,  if  they  could  fpy  any  Sail  pafs  by 
the  Coaft.  In  like  Manner  he  detached  Mr.  Prideaux^ 
with  ten,  to  Hatteras^  upon  the  fame  Defign  ;  and  other 
fmall  Parties  he  fent  to  the  Main,  to  live  upon  Roots  and 
Oyfters.  Seven  Days  after  the  Death  of  IVingina^  Cap- 
tain Stafford^  (who  through  the  whole  Voyage  was  very 
vigilant  and  induftrious,  and  fpared  no  Labour  or  Danger, 
to  perform  any  ferious  and  important  Service,  committed  to 
him)  fent  Mr.  Lane  Word,  that  he  defcried  twenty  three 
Sail  of  Ships  ;  and  the  next  Day,  he  came  himfelf  with  a 
Letter  from  Sir  Francis  Drake.  Sir  Francis  was  then  re- 
turning from  an  Expedition  againft  the  Spaniards  in  the 
JVeJi-Indies^  where  he  had  taken  Carthagena^  and  the  Ca- 
pital City  of  Hifpaniola  ;  and  had  burnt  St.  Anthony^  and 
St.  Helena.,  on  the  Coaft  of  Florida  ;  and  done  much  other 
Damage  to  the  Enemy.  He  had  Orders  from  the  Queen 
to  vifit  the  Colony  of  Virginia  in  his  Return,  and  to  afford 
them  fuch  Aflifi:ance  and  Encouragement,  as  was  proper. 
He  therefore  offered  to  fupply  their  Wants,  and  to  do  any 
thing  elfe  in  his  Power,  towards  their  Relief  and  the  Fur- 
therance of  the  Undertaking  ;  and  after  mature  Delibera- 
tion, he  appointed  them  a  Ship  of  feventy  Tons,  with  an 

hundred 


i6  T'he   History    of  VIRGINIA.        Book  t. 

1586.  hundred  Men,  and  four  Alonths  Provifions,  befides  two 
^■^^--r^-^  Barks  and  four  fmall  Boats,  with  able  Mailers  and  fufficient 
Gangs.  But  juft  as  all  was  ready,  there  arofe  fuch  a  Storm, 
as  had  like  to  have  driven  the  whole  Fleet  afhore.  Many 
Ships  were  forced  out  to  Sea,  among  which  was  that  lately 
given  to  the  Colony,  with  all  their  Provifions  and  Compa- 
ny aboard. 

This  Accident  did  not  difcourage  the  Admiral,  but  he 
allotted  them  another  Ship  of  an  hundred  and  feventv  Tons, 
with  all  Provifions  as  before,  to  carry  them  to  England  the 
next  Auguji^  or  when  they  fbould  have  made  fuch  Difco- 
veries  as  they  thought  fufficient.  But  their  Harbour,  which 
was  very  indifferent,  would  not  receive  a  Ship  of  her  Bur- 
then ;  and  to  lie  in  the  open  Road,  expofed  to  the  Winds 
and  Sea,  was  very  dangerous.  And  therefore,  after  Con- 
fultation,  it  was  unanimoufly  agreed,  to  defire  the  Admiral 
to  take  them  home  with  him  in  his  Fleet  ;  for  they  had  al- 
ready undergone  much  Mifery  and  Danger,  and  there  ap- 
peared but  little  Hopes  of  Sir  Richard  Greenvil'%  Return. 
And  fo  this  firft  Attempt  tov/ards  a  Settlement  became  a- 
bortive,  and  they  all  arrived  fafe  at  Portjmouth  the  latter 
End  of  y«/v,  1586.  But  in  his  Way  home.  Sir  Francis 
Drake  touched  on  the  Coaft  of  New-England;  where  he 
landed,  and  fpent  two  or  three  Days  in  trading  with  the 
Natives,  and  one  of  the  Indian  Kings  came,  and  fubmitted 
himfelf  to  Queen  Elixabeth. 

Upon  this  Voyage,  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  by  the  Queen's 
Advice  and  Dire£lions,  fent,  at  no  fmall  Expence,  Mr. 
John  With^  a  fkilful  and  ingenious  Painter,  to  take  the  Si- 
tuation of  the  Country,  and  to  paint,  from  the  Life,  the 
Figures  and  Habits  of  the  Natives,  their  Way  of  Living, 
and  their  feveral  Fafhions,  Modes,  and  Superflitions  ;  which 
he  did  with  great  Beauty  and  Exa6fnefs.  There  was  one 
Theodore  de  Bry^  who  afterwards  publiflied,  in  the  Year 
1624,  the  beautiful  Latin  Edition  of  Voyages,  in  fix  Vo- 
lumes, Folio^  a  moft  curious  and  valuable  Work.  He  be- 
ing in  England  foon  after,  by  the  Means  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Richard  Hackluyt^  then  of  Chriji's- Churchy  in  Oxford^  who, 
De  Bry  tells  us,  had  himfelf  {ten  the  Country,  obtained 
from  Mr.  JFith  a  Sight  of  thefe  Pieces,  with  Permiffion  to 
take  them  off  in  Copper  Plates.  Thefe,  being  very  lively 
and  well  done,  he  carried  to  Frankfort^  on  the  Maine^ 
where  he  publifhed  a  noble  Edition  of  them,  with  Latin 
Explanations,  out  of  John  JVechelius's  Prefs,  in  the  Year 
1590.  And  thefe  are  the  Originals  from  which  Mr.  Bever- 
ley''?,^ and  the  Cuts  of  many  of  our  late  Writers  and  Tra- 
vellers, have  been  chiefly  imitated.      And  to  (hew,  that  the 

Inhabitants 


Book  I.       r/:e   History   0/  VIRGINIA. 

Inhabitants  of  England  were  once  as  wild  and  barbarous  as 
thefe  of  Virginia^  Mr.  JFith  gave  him  the  Figures  of  three 
of  the  PiSis  and  two  of  their  Neighbours,  that  he  had 
found  delineated  in  an  old  EngliJJ)  Hiftory  ;  which  were 
accordingly  publiflied  with  them,  and  was  no  mean  or  im- 
politic Device,  to  recommend  the  Profecution  of  the  En- 
terprife  to  the  Englijh  Nation. 

But  befides  this  Painter,  Sir  Walter  fent  upon  this 
Voyage  a  Domeftick  of  his,  one  Mr.  Thomas  Harlot^  a 
Mathematician,  and  highly  in  his  Patron's  Intimacy  and 
Friendfliip.  He  was  a  Man  of  Learning,  and  a  very  ob- 
ferving  and  underftanding  Perfon,  and  went  chiefly  to  make 
Obfervations  on  the  Situation  of  the  Country,  and  to  affift 
Mr.  JFith  in  the  Plan.  After  his  Return,  to  obviate  the 
clamorous  and  unjuft  Reports  of  fome  of  the  Company,  he 
publifhed  a  fmall  Treatife  concerning  the  Country,  divided 
into  three  Parts.  The  firft  treats  of  fuch  Commodities,  as 
would  be  ufeful  towards  the  Improvement  of  Commerce  ; 
the  fecond,  of  thofe  natural  Products  of  the  Earth,  and  of 
fuch  Fifli,  Fowl,  and  Beafts,  as  would  contribute  to  the 
Suflenance  of  Man,  and  the  Support  of  human  Life  ;  and  the 
third,  of  the  Trees  and  Timber,  and  other  proper  Mate- 
rials for  building  Houfes,  Ships,  and  the  like.  After  which 
he  fubjoins  the  following  Account  of  the  Do6lrines  and 
Manners  of  the  Natives. 

They  believed,  that  there  is  one  chief  God,  who  hath 
exifted  from  all  Eternity :  That  he  created  the  World ; 
but  firft  made  other  Gods  of  a  principal  Order,  to  be  his 
Inftfuments  in  the  Creation  and  Government  thereof : 
That  next  the  Sun,  Moon,  and  Stars  were  created,  as  petty 
Gods,  and  as  Inftruments  to  thofe  other  Gods  of  a  fupe- 
rior  Order :  That  then  the  Waters  were  created,  out  of 
which  were  formed  all  Creatures  :  That  a  Woman  was 
firft  made  ;  who,  by  the  Congrefs  of  one  of  the  Gods,  con- 
ceived and  brought  forth  Children  ;  and  that  thence  Man- 
kind had  their  Beginning.  They  thought,  the  Gods  were 
all  of  human  Shape,  and  therefore  reprefented  them  by 
Images,  which  they  placed  in  their  Temples ;  and  they 
worfliipped,  prayed,  fung,  danced,  and  made  many  Offer- 
ings to  them.  They  held  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul ; 
which  after  Death,  according  to  it's  Works  in  the  Flefh, 
was  either  carried  up  to  the  Tabernacles  of  the  Gods,  to 
eternal  Happinefs  ;  or  elfe  to  PopoguJJo  (a  great  Pit  at  the 
furtheft  Parts  of  the  Earth,  where  the  Sun  fets)  into  per- 
petual Fire  and  Torment.  And  this  Do£trine  they  fup- 
ported  by  the  Authority  of  two  Perfons,  who,  as  they  pre- 
tended, had  rifen  from  the  Dead. 

''  C  These 


the   History   ^/VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

These  Opinions  were  thought  to  make  but  flight  Im- 
preffions  on  their  JVeroances^  or  Kings  and  Rulers  ;  or  upon 
their  Priefts,  and  other  Perfons  of  Figure  among  them. 
For  that  Chriftian  Cuftom,  for  the  Great  and  Eminent  to 
free  their  Confciences  from  the  Shackles  of  a  Creed,  and 
exempt  their  Actions  from  the  unwieldy  Clog  of  Religion 
and  Morality,  had  reached  even  among  thofe  wild  and  fa- 
vage  Nations.  But  thefe  Do6lrines  had  a  great  Influence 
on  the  common  Sort.  They  kept  them  in  proper  Subjec- 
tion to  their  Rulers  ;  and  made  them  very  follicitous  to  ob- 
tain the  Blifs,  and  avoid  the  Torments  of  the  next  Life. 

They  were  not  however  fo  firm  to  their  own  Doc- 
trines, but  that  they  were  very  open  to  receive  any  Inftruc- 
tions  from  the  Englijh.  Their  Compafles,  Perfpeftive 
Glafl'es,  Burning  Glafles,  Clocks,  Books,  Writing,  Guns, 
and  other  Inftruments  and  Inventions,  fo  exceeded  their 
Capacities,  and  amazed  them,  that  they  thought  them  to 
be  the  Works  of  Gods  rather  than  Men  ;  or  at  leaf!,  that 
the  Gods  had  taught  the  Englijh^  how  to  make  them. 
This  caufed  them  to  give  great  Credit  to  whatever  they 
faid  concerning  God  and  Religion.  And  fFingina  himfelf 
would  often  be  at  Prayers  with  them  ;  and  when  he  was 
fick,  which,  he  thought,  proceeded  from  having  offended 
the  Englijh  and  their  God,  he  would  fend  for  fome  of  them, 
to  pray,  and  be  a  Means  to  their  God,  of  his  living  with 
him  after  Death  ;  as  alfo  did  many  others.  And  once, 
when  their  Corn  was  much  hurt  and  withered  with  a  lono; 
Drought,  thinking  it  proceeded  from  fome  Injury  done  the 
Englijh^  they  came  to  them  in  Flocks,  and  begged  them 
to  pray  to  their  God  to  preferve  their  Corn,  for  which 
they  promifed,  when  it  was  ripe,  to  give  them  a  Part. 

And  this  high  Opinion  of  the  Englijh  was  greatly  en- 
creafed,  by  a  marvellous  Accident.  The  Country  was  that 
Year  afflicted  with  an  epidemical  Difeafe,  which  was  ob- 
ferved  to  fall  upon  none,  but  thofe  Nations,  which  had  en- 
deavoured to  injure  or  betray  the  EngliJ]}.  This  wrought 
many  extravagant  and  fuperftitious  Opinions,  which  were 
much  confirmed  by  the  Healthinefs  of  the  EngUJly  Colony. 
Some  thought  it  was  the  Work  of  the  Englijl)  God  ;  and  o- 
thers,  that  they  themfelves  (hot  invifible  Bullets  from  the  Place, 
where  they  dwelt.  Others  obferving,  that  the  EngUJly  had 
no  Women  of  their  own,  nor  cared  for  any  of  theirs, 
thought  they  were  not  born  of  Women,  but  were  Men  of 
an  ancient  Generation,  rifen  again  to  Immortality  ;  that 
there  were  more  of  them  {till  in  the  Air,  as  yet  invifible 
and  without  Bodies,  who  would  afterwards  come,  and  de- 
ftroy    their    Generation,  and   take   their    Places  \    and   that 

thefe. 


Book  I.       rZv   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

thefe,  by  the  Entreaty,  or  out  of  Love  to  the  EngUJ]}^ 
made  the  People  die,  as  they  did,  by  ihooting  invifible  Bul- 
lets into  them.  And  their  Phyficians,  to  cover  their  Ig- 
norance, would  make  them  believe,  that  they  fucked  out 
of  the  Bodies  of  the  Sick  Leaden  Bullets  in  the  Strings  of 
Blood.  In  fhort,  JVingina  and  others  were  fo  firmly  per- 
fuaded,  that  it  happened  through  their  Means,  that  when 
any  of  their  own  Enemies  had  affronted  or  abufed  the  En- 
glijh^  they  would  defire  them  to  make  them  die  in  the  fame 
Manner.  And  altho'  the  Englijh  remonftrated  to  them  the 
Unrighteoufnefs  of  their  Requeft,  and  how  difagreeable  it 
was  to  God  -,  yet  becaufe  the  EffecSl  fell  out  foon  after, 
they  would  come  and  return  them  Thanks  in  their  Way ; 
thinking,  altho'  they  had  denied  them  in  Words,  yet  they 
had  in  Reality  fully  anfwered  their  Defire. 

H  E  likewife  tells  us  of  the  great  Efteem  and  Veneration, 
in  which  the  Natives  held  a  Plant,  which  grew  fpontane- 
oufly  in  the  Country,  and  was  by  them  called  Uppowoc^  but 
is  now  well  known  by  the  Name  of  Tobacco  ;  derived,  it  is 
faid,  from  the  Ifland  of  Tobago^  one  of  the  Caribbees  in  the 
JVeJl-Ind'ies^  where  it  grew  in  vaft  Quantities.  The  Leaves 
of  this  they  cured  and  dried,  and  then  being  rubbed  into  a 
Sort  of  Bran  and  Duft,  they  put  it  into  Earthen  Tubes, 
and  drew  the  Smoke  through  the  Mouth.  They  thought 
this  Plant  of  fo  great  Worth  and  Virtue,  that  even  the 
Gods  themfelves  were  delighted  with  it.  And  therefore 
they  fometimes  made  facred  Fires,  and  inftead  of  a  Sacrifice 
threw  in  this  Duft  ;  and  when  they  were  caught  in  a  Tem- 
peft,  they  would  fprinkle  it  into  the  Air  and  Water.  Up- 
on all  their  new  fiftiing  Nets  they  would  caft  fome  of  it ; 
and  when  they  had  efcaped  any  remarkable  Danger,  they 
would  throw  fome  of  this  Duft  into  the  Air,  with  ftrange 
diftorted  Geftures,  fometimes  ftriking  the  Earth  with  their 
Feet,  in  a  Kind  of  Time  and  Meafure,  fometimes  clapping 
their  Hands,  and  throwing  them  up  on  high,  looking  up 
to  the  Heavens,  and  uttering  barbarous  and  diflbnant 
Words. 

M  R .  Harriot  alfo,  in  pailing  through  their  Towns, 
would  {hew  them  the  Bible,  and  explain  the  Contents : 
That  in  that  Book  was  taught  the  true  and  only  God,  his 
Omnipotence,  the  Do6lrine  of  Salvation  by  Jefus  Chrift, 
and  the  other  principal  Heads  of  our  Religion.  But  he  was 
obliged  to  tell  them,  that  there  was  no  particular  Virtue  in 
the  material  Book  itfelf,  but  only  in  the  Do6lrines,  which 
it  contained.  For  they  paid  their  Kind  of  Adoration  to  the 
Book,  by  handling,  hugging,  and  kiffing  it,  and  by  ap- 
plying it  to  their  Head  and  Breaft,  and  ftroking  it  over  the 
other  Parts  of  their  Body.  C  2  And 


20  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

1586.  And  here,  if  it  were  an  Imputation  worthy  of  Notice, 

'^■^^-r^-^-  I  might  tranfientlv  remark  the  great  Injuftice,  done  to  this 
learned  Alathematician  and  pious  Scholar,  f'or  as  Sir  TFal- 
ter  Ralegh  was  afperfed  with  holding  atheiftical  Principles, 
fo  it  has  been  faid,  that  he  imbibed  them  from  this  Mr. 
Hariot^  whom  he  retained  in  his  Service  with  a  handfome 
Penfion,  to  teach  him  the  mathematical  Sciences  at  his  lei- 
fure  Hours.  But  an  orthodox  Divine,  Dr.  Richard  Corbet^ 
afterwards  a  Bifhop,  tells  us,  that  Hariofs  deep  Mine  was 
without  Drofs.  And  Mr.  George  Chapman^  another  Con- 
temporary, a  grave  and  virtuous  A^uthor,  fays.  That  his 
Judgment  and  Knowledge  in  all  Kinds  were  deep  and  in- 
comparable, and  as  much  to  be  admired,  as  his  moft  blame- 
lefs  Life,  and  the  right  facred  Expence  of  his  Time,  were 
to  be  honoured  and  reverenced.  To  which  might  be  added 
other  Teftimonies,  which  have  been  carefully  collected  by 
the  diligent  and  induftrious  Mr.  Oldys^  in  his  accurate  Life 
of  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  lately  prefixed  to  his  Hiftory  of  the 
World  ;  who  likewife  fhews,  that  the  famous  French  Phi- 
lofopher,  Defcartes^  borrowed  much  of  his  Light  from  this 
excellent  Mathematician  ;  and  that  the  learned  Dr.  IVallis 
gave  the  Preference  to  Hariofs  Impro\'ements,  before  Def- 
carte's^  altho'  he  had  the  Ad\  antage  of  coming  after,  and 
being  affifted  bv  him. 

A  s  to  this  groundlefs  Afperfion,  the  Truth  of  it  perhaps 
was,  that  Sir  Walter  and  Mr.  Harlot  were  the  hrll,  who 
ventured  to  depart  from  the  beaten  Tra6l  of  the  Schools, 
and  to  throw  off  and  combat  fome  hoary  Follies  and  tra- 
ditionarv  Errors,  which  had  been  riveted  by  Age,  and  ren- 
dered facred  and  inviolable  in  the  Eyes  of  weak  and  preju- 
diced Perfons.  Sir  Walter  is  faid  to  have  been  firft  led  to 
this,  by  the  manifell:  Deted:ion,  from  his  own  Experience, 
of  their  erroneous  Opinions  concerning  the  Torrid  Zone  ; 
and  he  intended  to  have  proceeded  farther  in  the  Search  af- 
ter more  folid  and  important  Truths,  'till  he  was  chid  and 
reflrained  bv  the  Queen,  into  whom  fome  Perfons  had  in- 
fufed  a  Notion,  that  fuch  Doctrine  was  againll:  God.  And 
this  was  fufficient  Ground  for  Men,  zealous  without  Know- 
ledge, and  ftifty  orthodox,  with  a  Charity  ufual  to  fome  fuch 
in  all  Ages,  to  brand  him  with  the  odious  Names  of  Jtheiji 
and  Deiji  ;  altho'  he  was  an  eminent  Affertor  of  God  and 
Providence,  and  has  in  many  Parts  of  his  Writings,  efpe- 
ciallv  in  the  Hiftorv  of  the  World,  given  ftronger  Evidences 
of  his  Chriftian  Faith,  than  anv  of  his  Detractors  ever  did 
of  theirs. 

Mr.  Lane  and  his  Company  carried  home  fome  Tobac- 
co, which,   Cambden   thinks,  was   the   firft,  that   ever   was 

brought 


Book  I.       rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

brought  to  England.  And  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  a  Man  of 
Gaiety  and  Faftiion,  readily  gave  into  it,  and  by  his  In- 
tereft  and  Example,  foon  brought  it  into  fuch  Vogue  at 
Court,  that  many  great  Ladies,  as  well  as  Noblemen,  made 
no  Scruple  fomtimes  to  take  a  Pipe.  We  are  not  inform- 
ed, whether  the  Queen  made  Ufe  of  it  herfelf ;  but  it  is 
certain,  fhe  gave  great  Countenance  and  Encouragement  to 
it,  as  a  Vegetable  of  fingular  Strength  and  Pov/er,  which 
might  therefore  prove  of  Benefit  to  Mankind,  and  Advan- 
tage to  the  Nation.  So  far,  as  Mr.  Oldys  well  obferves, 
was  this  wife  Princefs  from  the  refined  Tafte  of  her  Suc- 
ceffor,  who  held  Tobacco  in  fuch  Abomination,  that  he 
not  only  refufed  the  Ufe  of  it  himfelf,  but  endeavoured  to 
deftroy  and  fupprefs  it  among  his  Subjefts,  and  would  there- 
by have  robbed  the  Crown  of  what  has  fince  proved  one  of 
its  nobleft  Jewels  and  moft  confiderable  Revenues,  and  the 
Nation  of  a  very  advantageous  and  important  Branch  of 
Trade. 

Sir  Walter  Ralegh's,  Tobacco-Box,  with  fome  of  his 
Pipes,  was  lately  extant,  and  laid  up  among  the  Rarities  in 
the  Mufeum  of  that  curious  Antiquarian,  the  late  Mr. 
Ralph  Thorejhy.^  of  Leeds,  in  Torkjhire.  There  are  alfo 
fome  humerous  Stories  ftill  remembred,  concerning  his  firft 
Ufe  of  Tobacco  ;  particularly  his  Wager  with  the  Queen, 
that  he  would  determine  exa6lly  the  Weight  of  the  Smoke 
which  went  ofi^  in  a  Pipe  of  Tobacco.  This  he  did  bv  firft 
weighing  the  Tobacco,  and  then  carefully  preferving  and 
weighing  the  Afties  ;  and  the  Queen  readily  granted,  that 
what  was  wanting  in  the  prime  Weight,  muft  be  evapora- 
ted in  Smoke.  And  when  fhe  paid  the  Wager,  fhe 
faid  pleafantly,  that  fhe  had  heard  of  many  Labourers  in 
the  Fire,  that  turned  their  Gold  into  Smoke,  but  Ralegh 
was  the  firft,  who  had  turned  his  Smoke  into  Gold,  It  is 
alfo  related,  that  a  Country  Servant  of  his,  bringing  him  a 
Tankard  of  Ale  and  Nutmeg  into  his  Study,  as  he  was  in- 
tently engaged  at  his  Book,  fmoaking  a  Pipe  of  Tobacco, 
the  Fellow  was  fo  frightened  at  feeing  the  Smoke  reek  out 
of  his  Mouth,  that  he  threw  the  Ale  into  his  Face,  in  or- 
der to  extinguifli  the  Fire,  and  ran  down  Stairs,  alarming 
the  Family,  and  crying  out.  His  Mafter  was  on  Fire,  and 
before  they  could  get  up,  would  be  burnt  to  Afhes. 

But  whilft  Mr.  Lane  and  the  Colony  were  in  the  above 
mentioned  Streights  and  Difficulties  in  America^  Sir  Walter 
Ralegh  was  not  idle  at  home.  He  provided  a  Ship  of  an 
hundred  Tons,  and  loaded  her  with  Plenty  of  all  things 
necelTary  for  the  Settlement ;  but  it  being  Eajier  before  fhe 
departed,  Mr.  Lane  and   his   Company   had  fliipped  them- 

felves 


rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

felves  for  England  in  Sir  Francis  Drake^s  Fleet,  a  few  Days 
before  her  Arrival.  Having  therefore  fpent  fome  Time  in 
feeking  them  up  the  Country  without  Effecl,  they  returned 
that  Summer  to  England^  with  all  their  Provifion. 

Those  Authors  who  will  have  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  to 
have  been  in  Virginia^  fay,  that  he  came  upon  this  Voyage  : 
But  the  Conduft  of  it  was  fo  weak  and  trifling,  that  I  can- 
not be  eafily  induced  to  believe  it  agreeable  to  a  Perfon  of 
his  Senfe  and  Refolution  ;  who,  had  he  been  there,  would 
certainly  have  made  fome  vigorous  Searches  and  Enquiries, 
and  left  fome  ufeful  Remarks  on  the  Country,  as  he  did  in 
his  Voyage  to  Guiana.  Indeed  it  does  not  appear,  that  Sir 
Walter  was  ever  in  his  Colony  himfelf.  The  only  Authori- 
ty of  Weight  for  it,  that  I  have  met  with,  is  the  Tranflation 
of  Mr.  Hariof?,  Treatife,  which  mentions  the  Adlions  of 
thofe,  qui  Generofum  D.  Walterum  Ralegh  in  eafu  regione?n 
comitati  funt.  But  this,  I  am  inclined  to  think,  muft  be 
an  terror  of  the  Tranflator,  who  feems  to  have  been  a 
Frenchman.,  and  might  not  therefore  perfectly  underitand 
our  Language  ;  and  I  could  never  yet  get  a  Sight  of  Ha- 
riofs  original  Difcourfe,  which  was  written  in  Englijl)^  but 
have  been  obliged  to  make  Ufe  of  the  Latin  Tranflation, 
publiftied  by  De  Bry^  at  Frankfort^  1590-  ^^^  if  Mr. 
Hackluyt  ever  was  in  Virginia.,  as  we  are  exprefly  told  by 
De  Bry^  it  muft  have  been,  I  think,  either  in  this  Voyage, 
or  that  immediately  following  by  Sir  Richard  Greenvil.,  of 
which  we  have  fuch  brief  and  fummary  Accounts.  For  it 
is  not  to  be  fuppofed,  that  a  Perfon  of  his  Figure  and  Con- 
fideration,  would  have  been  entirely  pafl'ed  over  in  the 
full  and  particular  Relations,  that  we  have  of  all  the  other 
Voyages. 

About  a  Fortnight  after  the  Departure  of  this  Ship, 
Sir  Richard  Greenvil  arrived  with  three  Ships  more,  well 
provided  ;  but  he  neither  found  that  Ship,  according  to 
his  Expectation,  nor  could  hear  any  News  of  the  Colony, 
which  he  himfelf  had  feated  and  left  there  the  Year  before. 
Therefore,  after  travelling  in  vain  up  and  down  to  feek 
them,  finding  their  Habitation  abandoned,  and  being  un- 
willing to  lofe  the  Pofleflion  of  the  Country,  he  landed  fifty 
Men  on  the  Ifland  of  Roanoke^  plentifully  furnifhed  with 
all  Provifions  for  two  Years,  and  fo  returned  to  England. 

These  unlucky  Croffes  and  Accidents  gave  Occafion 
to  many  Perfons  to  difcant  on  their  Proceedings,  to  the 
Difparagement  of  Sir  Richard  Greenvil.  But  their  Cenfure 
was  very  unjuft.  For  to  plant  Colonies  abroad,  and  to  dif- 
fufe  and  propagate  our  Nation  and  our  Trade,  is  certainly 
a  moft  princely  and  noble  Enterprize,  and  highly  worthy  a 

Perfon 


Book  I.       "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Perfon  of  his  eminent  and  illuftrious  Family.  And  indeed 
he  feems  to  have  embarked  in  the  Affair  with  great  Hearti- 
nefs  and  Refolution,  and  to  have  hazarded  and  expofed  his 
Perfon  very  freely  in  the  Profecution  of  it.  And  it  was  upon 
Occafion  of  theie  Murmurs  and  Reports,  that  Mr.  Harlot 
wrote  and  publifhed  his  Difcourfe,  before  mentioned.  1587 

The  next  Year,  three  Ships  were  fent,  under  the  Com- 
mand of  Mr.  yoh?i  Wh'ite^  who  was  appointed  Governor  of 
the  Colony,  with  twelve  Affiftants,  as  a  Council.  To  thefe 
Sir  Walter  Ralegh  gave  a  Charter,  and  incorporated  them 
by  the  Name  of  the  Governor  and  Affiftants  of  the  City  of 
Ralegh  in  Virginia^  with  exprefs  Directions  to  feat  at  Che- 
fapeake  ;  which,  however  ufeful  and  important,  they  ne- 
verthelefs  difobeyed  and  negleiled.  Having  taken  the  old 
Route  by  the  JVeJi-Indies^  they  had  like  to  have  been  caft 
away  upon  Cape-Fear^  through  the  Error  or  Defign  of  Si- 
mon Ferd'inando.  He  had  been  with  Captain  Amidas  in  the 
firft  Expedition  ;  and  being  made  Pilot  in  this,  was  fufpe6ted 
of  a  Defign  to  ruin  the  whole  Voyage.  But  being  prevent- 
ed by  the  Vigilancy  of  Captain  Stafford^  they  arrived  all 
fafe  at  Hatteras  the  22d  of  July. 

They  went  immediately  to  Roanoke^  to  look  for  the 
fifty  Men,  left  there  by  Sir  Richard  Greenvil^  but  they 
found  nothing  but  the  Bones  of  a  Man  ;  and  where  the 
Plantation  had  been,  the  Houfes  were  undeftroyed,  but  o- 
vergrown  with  Weeds,  and  the  Fort  defaced.  They  re- 
fitted the  Houfes  ;  and  Mr.  George  How,  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil, ftragling  abroad,  was  (lain  by  the  Indians.  Soon  after. 
Captain  Stafford^  with  twenty  Men,  and  Manteo.,  who,  I 
believe,  had  been  again  in  England  this  Voyage,  went  to 
Croatan.,  to  enquire,  if  they  could  hear  any  News  of  the 
Colony.  There  they  underftood,  that  Mr.  Hoiu  had  been 
flain  by  fome  of  Wingina's  Men  of  Dajfamonpeake ;  that 
the  fifty,  left  the  Year  before,  had  been  fuddenly  fet  upon 
by  three  hundred  Indians.,  of  Secotan.^  Aquafcogoc,  and  Daj- 
famonpeake ;  that  after  a  fmall  Skirmifh,  in  which  one  En- 
glijhman  was  flain,  they  retired  to  the  Water  Side,  and  hav- 
ing got  their  Boat,  and  taken  up  four  of  their  Fellows  ga- 
thering Crabs  and  Oyfters,  they  went  to  a  fmall  Ifland  by 
Hatteras  ;  that  they  ftaid  there  fome  time,  but  after  de- 
parted they  knew  not  whither.  And  with  this  Account, 
Captain  Stafford  returned  to  the  Fleet  at  Hatteras. 

However,  Mr.  White  endeavoured  to  renew  and  keep 
up  a  good  Underftanding  with  the  feveral  Nations  of  Indians 
on  the  Sea-Coaft.  But  finding  his  Offers  of  Friendftiip  not 
much  regarded,  he  refolved  no  longer  to  defer  his  Revenge 
on  thofe  of  DaJJamonpeake.      This  Nation  was  feated  right 

C  4  oppofite 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

oppofite  to  Roanoke  Ifland,  on  the  Main,  in  the  Neck  of 
Land,  between  the  River  now  called  Allegator^  and  the 
Narrows.  About  Midnight,  Mr.  White  fet  forward,  with 
Captain  Stafford^  and  twenty  four  Men,  whereof  Manteo 
was  one,  who  was  their  Guide,  and  behaved  himfelf  as  a 
moft  faithful  Englifhman.  They  landed  by  Break  of  Day, 
and  having  got  beyond  the  Town,  they  afTaulted  fome  In- 
dians that  were  fitting  by  a  Fire.  One  was  {hot  through, 
and  they  hoped  to  have  been  fully  revenged,  but  were  foon 
undeceived,  and  found  that  they  were  their  Friends  of  Cro- 
atan^  come  to  gather  their  Corn,  becaufe  they  underftood, 
that  the  Dajfamonpeake  Indians  had  fled  after  the  Death 
of  Mr.  How.  Manteo.,  their  Countryman,  was  grieved  at 
the  Miftake  5  but  however,  imputed  it  all  to  their  own 
Folly.  And  fo  having  gathered  what  was  ripe,  and  left 
the  reft  unfpoiled,  they  returned  to  Roanoke. 

On  the  13th  of  Juguji^  Manteo^  according  to  Command 
from  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  was  baptized,  and  ftiled  Lord  of 
Roanoke  and  Dajfamonpeake.,  in  Reward  of  his  Fidelity.  And 
on  the  1 8th,  the  Governor's  Daughter,  Wife  to  Ananias 
Dare.,  one  of  the  Council,  was  delivered  of  a  Daughter, 
which,  being  the  firft  Child  born  there,  was  called  Virginia. 
And  foon  after,  there  arofe  a  Difpute  between  the  Gover- 
nor and  his  Affiftants  or  Council,  concerning  a  Perfon  to 
be  fent  to  England  to  follicit  Supplies.  All  refufed,  except 
one,  who  was  thought  very  unequal  to  the  Bufinefs.  At 
laft,  they  unanimoufly  pitched  upon  the  Governor,  as  the 
fitteft  Perfon ;  and  having  figned  a  Paper,  teftifying  his 
Unwillingnefs  to  leave  the  Colony,  they  at  length  prevailed 
upon  him,  with  much  Importunity,  to  undertake  it.  Leav- 
ing therefore  above  an  hundred  Perfons  on  one  of  the  Iflands 
of  Hatteras.,  to  form  a  Plantation,  he  departed,  and  after 
many  Crofles  and  Difficulties,  got  firft  to  Ireland.^  and  from 
thence  went  to  England. 

At  this  time,  the  Nation  was  in  great  Commotion  and 
Apprehenfion  of  the  Spanif  Invafion  and  invincible  Jr?na- 
da.,  as  it  was  vainly  called,  and  the  Queen  caufed  frequent 
Councils  to  be  held,  by  the  oldeft  and  moft  experienced 
Commanders  at  Sea  ;  and  alfo  appointed  a  Council  of  War, 
of  fuch  Perfons  as  were  in  higheft  Repute  for  military  Skill 
and  Knowledge,  in  order  to  put  the  Land  Forces  of  the 
Kingdom  in  the  beft  Pofture  of  Defence.  For  this  Pur- 
pofe  were  chofen  the  Lord  Grey.,  Sir  Francis  Kyiolles.,  Sir 
Thomas  Leighton.,  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  Sir  fohn  Norris.,  Sir 
Richard  Greenvil.,  Sir  Richard  Binghain.,  Sir  Roger  Wil- 
liams., and  Ralph  Lane.,  Efq;  late  Governor  of  Virginia., 
who  were  therefore  all  entirely  taken  up  with  thofe  impor- 
tant Confultations.  How- 


Book  I.       T:Iw    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

However,  having  laid  a  Plan  of  Operations,  and  made 
proper  Difpofitions  for  the  Defence  of  the  Nation,  Sir  IP^al- 
ter  found  Leifure  to  fit  out  a  fmall  Fleet  for  the  Relief  of 
the  Colony,  at  B'lddeford^  early  the  next  Year,  which  was 
put  under  the  Command  of  Sir  Richard  Greenvil^  and  only 
waited  for  a  fair  Wind.  But  the  Alarm  of  the  vaft  and  for- 
midable Armament,  made  by  the  King  of  Spain^  encreaf- 
ing,  all  Ships  of  Force,  then  in  any  Readinefs,  received 
Orders  from  the  State  to  ftay  in  their  Harbours,  for  the 
Defence  of  their  own  Country  ;  and  Sir  Richard  Greenvil 
was  perfonally  commanded  not  to  depart  out  of  Cornwall^ 
where  Sir  JValter  Ralegh  then  was  himfelf,  muftering  and 
training  the  Forces,  and  performing  other  Duties  of  his 
Office,  as  Lieutenant  of  that  County,  However,  Gover- 
nor White  laboured  fo  ftrenuoufly  with  them,  that  he  ob- 
tained two  fmall  Barks,  and  put  to  Sea  from  Biddeford,  the 
22d  ol  Aprils  1588.  But  thefe  Veflels,  tho'  of  little  Force, 
being  more  intent  on  a  gainful  Voyage,  than  the  Relief  of 
the  Colony,  ran  in  Chace  of  Prizes  •,  till  at  laft,  one  of  them, 
meeting  with  two  Ships  of  War,  was,  after  a  bloody  Fight, 
overcome,  boarded,  and  rifled.  In  this  maimed,  ranfacked, 
and  ragged  Condition,  fhe  returned  to  England  in  a  Month's 
Time  ;  and  in  about  three  Weeks  after,  the  other  alfo  re- 
turned, having  perhaps  tafted  of  the  fame  Fare,  at  leaft 
without  performing  her  intended  Voyage,  to  the  Diftrefs, 
and  as  it  proved,  the  utter  Deftru6lion  of  the  Colony  in 
Virginia^  and  to  the  great  Difpleafure  of  their  Patron  at 
home. 

These  Difappointments  gave  much  Vexation  to  Sir 
Walter  Ralegh^  who  had  by  this  Time  expended,  as  we 
are  authenticly  allured,  not  lefs  than  forty  thoufand  Pounds, 
upon  the  Enterprife.  He  had  alfo,  not  long  before,  re- 
ceived, as  a  Reward  for  his  great  Services  in  the  /r//6 
Wars,  a  very  large  Grant,  out  of  the  Earl  of  Defmond's 
Lands  there  ;  the  Terms  of  which  he  fairly  and  honeftly 
endeavoured  to  fulfil,  by  planting  thofe  Lands  with  Englijh^ 
and  made  Ufe  of  none  of  the  Arts  and  Frauds,  which  others 
of  thofe  Grantees  were  charged  withal.  So  that  this  great 
Bounty  of  the  Queen  was  at  prefent  rather  a  Burthen  and 
Charge  to  him,  than  any  real  Profit  or  Advantage.  Befides 
which,  he  was  among  the  foremoft  of  the  military  Geniufes 
of  that  time,  who  were  fired  with  the  Spani/h  Invafion,  and 
profecuted  the  War  againft  them  with  great  Coft  and  In- 
duftry,  and  with  an  incredible  Courage  and  Succefs.  For 
all  thefe  Reafons,  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  made  an  Affignment, 
by  Indenture,  bearing  Date  the  7th  of  March^  1588-9,  to  1589. 
Thomas  Smith,  ( afterwards  Sir   Thomas    Smith,  and  a  Per- 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

fon  of  Note  in  the  Sequel  of  this  Hiftory  )  with  other  Mer- 
chants and  Adventurers  of  London^  and  to  Governor  White^ 
and  other  Gentlemen,  for  continuing  the  Plantation  of  Vir- 
ginia. By  this  Indenture,  he  grants  to  the  faid  Thomas 
Smithy  John  JVhite^  and  the  reit,  according  to  a  Charter, 
formerly  granted  for  the  City  of  Ralegh^  free  Liberty  to 
carry  to  Virginia.,  and  there  inhabit,  fuch  of  her  Majefty's 
Subjects,  as  would  willingly  accompany  them  ;  as  alfo  to 
them,  their  Heirs,  or  Affigns,  free  Trade  and  Traffick  to 
and  from  Virginia.,  or  any  other  Part  of  America.,  where 
the  faid  Sir  Walter.,  his  Heirs,  or  Afligns,  did,  or  might 
claim  any  Intereft,  Title,  or  Privilege.  And  he  did  far- 
ther, for  their  Encouragement,  and  for  the  common  Utility, 
freely  and  liberally  give  them  one  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
employed  for  planting  the  Chriftian  Religion  in  thofe  bar- 
barous and  heathen  Countries. 

And  thus  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  having  difengaged  him- 
felf  for  the  prefent  from  this  burthenfome  and  expenfive 
Affair,  gave  a  Loofe  to  his  martial  Genius,  and  bent  his 
whole  Thoughts  againft  the  Spaniards.,  which  foon  became 
the  fixed  and  ruling  Pailion  of  his  Nature  ;  as  abafing  the 
exorbitant  Power  of  France.,  and  preventing  its  ill  Confe- 
quences  on  the  Liberties  of  Europe.,  did,  in  later  Times, 
engrofs  all  the  Thoughts  and  Inclinations  of  King  William., 
and  was  the  principal  Aim  of  moft  of  his  Steps  and  A61:ions. 
And  altho'  this  Comparifon  may  be  thought  very  une- 
qual with  Relation  to  the  Power  and  Dignity  of  the  two 
Perfons,  yet  it  will,  I  think,  be  found  juft  and  exaft  with 
Refpe6l  to  their  Inclinations  and  Defigns.  For  no  Man  of 
that  Age  was  more  deeply  fenfible  of  the  pernicious  Confe- 
quences  of  the  Spanijh  Power  and  Aims,  or  was  more  eager 
and  afliduous  in  fpeaking,  writing,  and  acSling  againft  them, 
than  Sir  Walter  Ralegh. 
ijgo.  But  thefe  new  Affignees  were  not  fo  diligent  and  care- 

ful of  the  Bufinefs,  as  they  ought  to  have  been.  For  it  was 
a  Year  after,  March.,  1589-90,  before  any  thing  was  un- 
dertaken by  them  for  the  Relief  of  the  Colony.  Then  Mr. 
White.,  with  three  Ships,  fet  Sail  from  Plimouth  ;  and  paf- 
fing  by  the  Weft-Indies.,  they  ftaid  fome  time  there,  to  per- 
form fome  Exploits,  as  they  call  them,  which  was  to  at- 
tack and  plunder  the  Spaniards.,  among  whom  they  got  a 
confiderable  Booty.  On  the  3d  of  Jugujl.,  they  fell  in  with 
fome  low  fandy  Iflands,  to  the  Wejiward  oi  Wococon.  From 
thence  they  went  to  Croatan.,  and  fo  to  Hatteras.  There 
they  defcried  a  Smoke,  at  the  Place,  where  the  Colony  had 
been  left  three  Years  before.  The  next  Morning,  they 
difcharged  fome  Cannon,  to  give  Notice  of  their  Arrival  ; 

and 


Book  I.       rhe    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

and  having  fitted  out  two  Boats,  Captain  Cooke  and  Captain 
Spicer  went  afhore,  but  found  no  Man,  nor  the  Sign  of' 
any,  that  had  been  there  lately.  The  next  Day,  they 
prepared  to  go  to  Roanoke ;  but  the  Wind  being  hard 
at  North-Eaft,  one  of  the  Boats,  in  palling  a  Bar,  was  half 
filled  with  Water,  and  the  other  overfet.  Captain  Spicer,, 
with  fix  more,  were  drowned  ;  but  four,  who  could  fwim 
a  little,  and  did  not  truft  themfelves  to  their  Legs  on  the 
Shoals,  but  kept  in  deep  Water,  were  faved  by  the  Care 
and  Dexterity  of  Captain  Cooke  in  the  other  Boat.  This 
Accident  fo  difcomfited  the  Sailors,  that  they  could  hardly 
be  prevailed  upon  to  make  any  farther  Search  for  the  Colo- 
ny. But  indeed,  confidering  the  Shoals  and  Dangers,  with 
their  Ignorance  and  Inexperience  of  the  Coaft,  which  they 
unfortunately  happened  upon  in  this  their  firft  Attempt  to- 
wards a  Settlement,  it  is  rather  to  be  wondered,  that  they 
met  not  with  more  Accidents  and  Misfortunes,  than  they 
really  did. 

The  Sailors  being  at  length  encouraged  by  the  For- 
wardnefs  and  Readinefs  of  their  Captains,  two  Boats  more 
were  fitted  out  for  Hatteras,,  with  nineteen  Men.  When 
Mr.  White  left  the  Colony  three  Years  before,  they  talked 
of  going  fifty  Miles  up  into  the  Main  ;  and  it  had  been 
agreed  between  them,  that  if  they  left  the  Place,  where 
they  then  were,  they  fhould  write  the  Name  of  the  Place, 
to  which  they  went,  on  fome  Tree,  Door,  or  Poft  ;  and 
if  they  had  been  in  any  Diftrefs,  they  fhould  fignify  it,  by 
making  a  Crofs  over  it.  When  they  landed  therefore,  they 
founded  a  Trumpet,  but  received  no  Anfwer  ;  and  going  up 
to  the  Fire,  they  found,  it  was  nothing  but  the  Grafs  and 
fome  rotten  Trees  burning.  Then  fearching  up  and  down 
the  Ifland,  they  at  laft  found  three  fair  Ro?nan  Letters 
carved,  C.  R.  O.  but  without  any  Sign  of  Diftrefs  ;  and 
looking  farther,  they  faw  CROAT  AN,  carved  in  fair 
Capital  Letters  on  one  of  the  chief  Pofts,  but  ftill  without 
the  Crofs,  as  a  Sign  of  Diftrefs.  Their  Houfes  were  taken 
down  ;  and  an  high  Palifado  built,  after  the  Manner  of  a 
Fort.  They  likewife  found,  where  their  Goods  had  been 
buried  ;  but  many  of  them  had  been  dug  up,  and  fcattered 
about,  and  all  were  fpoiled  ;  yet  Mr.  White  knew  and 
diftinguifhed  feveral  of  his  own  among  them.  With  this 
joyful  Difcovery,  as  they  hoped,  of  where  they  were,  they 
returned  to  their  Ships  ;  but  had  like  to  have  been  caft 
away  by  a  violent  Storm,  that  continued  all  that  Night. 

The     next    Morning,    weighing    Anchor    for    Croatan^ 
which  was  an  Indian  Town   on   the   South  Part  of  Cape 
Look-out^  one  of  their  Cables   broke,  and  carried  off"  ano- 
ther 


28  Tbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  I. 

1590-     ther  Anchor  with  it.      But  letting  go  their  third,  the  Ship 

' Y 'went  lb  faft  adrift,  that  fhe  was  very  near  ftranding.      Dif- 

courao-ed  with  thefe  A'lisfortunes,  and  having  but  one  An- 
chor  left,  and  their  Provifions  near  fpent,  they  gave  over 
all  Thoughts  of  farther  Search  for  the  prefent,  and  deter- 
mined to  go  to  the  IVeJi-Indies^  to  winter  and  refrefh  ^them- 
felves  (chiefly  perhaps  with  more  Spanijh  Plunder)  and  to 
return  in  the  Spring,  to  feek  their  Countrymen.  But  the 
Vice-Admiral  was  obflinately  bent  upon  going  directly  for 
England;  and  the  Wind  being  contrary,  the  reft  were 
obliged,  within  two  Days,  to  make  for  the  WeJlern-IJlands^ 
where  they  arrived  the  23d  of  September^  I590>  ^nd  met 
with  many  of  the  Queen's  Ships,  their  own  Confort,  and 
divers  others.  But  many  fufpefted,  that  private  Intereft 
was  the  chief  Occafion  of  their  Failure  in  this  Undertaking; 
and  that  the  Riches,  gotten  from  the  Spaniards  in  the  IVeJi- 
Indies^  was  the  true  Reafon  of  their  Return,  for  which  the 
Storm  only  furniflied  them  with  a  colourable  Pretext. 
However  it  is  certain,  that  the  Aflignees  made  no  farther 
Search,  nor  gave  themfelves  any  other  Trouble  about  the 
Matter  ;  but  thefe  poor  Souls  were  bafely  deferted  by  them, 
and  left  a  Prey  to  the  barbarous  Savages,  neither  were  they 
ever  feen  or  heard  of  afterwards. 
1591.  The   following  Year    1591,    Sir  Richard   Greenvil  was 

fent,  by  the  Queen,  Vice-Admiral  to  the  Lord  Thomas 
Hoiuard^  with  feven  Ships  of  War,  and  a  ^q-w  other  fmall 
VefTels,  to  intercept  the  Spanifi  Plate-Fleet.  At  the  J- 
%ores^  this  fmall  Squadron  was  furprifed  by  fifty  three  capital 
Ships,  purpofely  fent  from  Spain  ;  and  Sir  Richard  Greenvil^ 
who  was  unwilling  to  leave  a  great  Part  of  his  Men,  then 
on  Shore  for  Water  and  other  Neceflaries,  to  the  Infolence 
and  Barbarity  of  the  Iflanders,  ftaid  fo  long  in  getting  them 
off,  that  he  was  hemmed  in  between  the  Enemy's  Fleet 
and  the  Ifland  of  Flares.  In  this  dangerous  Situation,  he 
fcorned  to  fliew  any  Signs  of  Fear,  or  to  owe  his  Safety  to 
Flight  ;'  but  he  bravely  bore  down  upon  the  Enemy,  and 
endeavoured  to  break  through  them,  in  which  Attempt  he 
maintained  a  gallant  and  obftinate  Fight,  with  the  beft  of 
the  Spanijh  Ships,  for  fifteen  Hours  together.  He  was  at 
once  laid  aboard  by  the  St.  Philip.,  a  Ship  of  fifteen  hundred 
Tons  and  feventy  eight  large  Pieces  of  Ordinance,  and  four 
other  of  the  ftouteft  Ships  in  the  Spanijl)  Fleet,  full  of  Men, 
in  fome  two  hundred,  in  fome  five  hundred,  and  in  others 
eight  hundred  Soldiers,  befides  Mariners  ;  and  he  never  had 
leis  than  two  large  Galleons  by  his  Side,  which,  from  time 
to  time,  were  relieved  by  frefh  Ships,  Men,  and  Ammu- 
nition. Yet  he  behaved  himfelf  with  fuch  uncommon  Bra- 
very 


Book  I.       The   History    of  VIRGINIA. 

very  and  Condu6l,  that  he  difabled  fome,  funk  others,  and 
obliged  them  all  to  retire.  Neither  did  he  ever  leave  the 
Deck,  tho'  wounded  in  the  Beginning  of  the  clofe  Fight, 
till  he  received  a  dangerous  Wound  in  the  Body  by  a  Mufket 
Bullet.  When  he  went  down  to  have  it  dreffed,  he  re- 
ceived another  Shot  in  the  Head,  and  his  Surgeon  was  killed 
by  his  Side.  By  this  time  alfo  moft  of  his  braveft  Men 
were  (lain,  his  Ship  much  difabled,  his  Deck  covered  with 
Dead,  and  Wounded,  and  fcattered  Limbs,  and  his  Powder 
fpent  to  the  very  laft  Barrel.  Yet  in  this  Condition  he  or- 
dered the  Veflel  to  be  funk,  but  it  was  prevented  by  the 
reft  of  the  Officers  ;  tho'  many  of  the  Crew  joined  with 
him,  and  the  Mafter-Gunner,  if  he  had  not  been  reftrain- 
ed,  would  have  killed  himfelf,  fooner  than  fall  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Spaniards.  When  the  Ship,  or  rather 
Wreck,  was  furrendered.  Sir  Richard  was  carried  on  board 
the  Spani/h  Admiral,  where  he  died  within  two  Days, 
highly  admired  by  the  very  Enemy,  for  his  extraordinary 
Courage  and  Refolution.  And  when  he  found  the  Pangs  of 
Death  approach,  he  laid  to  the  Officers,  that  flood  round 
him,  in  the  Spanijh  Tongue  :  Here  die  /,  Richard  Green- 
vil,  with  a  joyful  and  quiet  Mind^  having  ended  my  Life  like 
a  true  Soldier.,  that  fought  for  his  Country.,  ^ueen^  Religion., 
and  Honour :  Thus  fumming  up,  in  fliort,  all  the  generous 
Motives,  that  fire  the  Breafts  of  the  truly  Brave  and  Great, 
to  exert  themfelves  beyond  the  common  Pitch  of  Huma- 
nity. 

And  fuch  was  the  gallant  End  of  this  noble  Gentleman, 
who,  next  to  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  was  the  principal  Perfon 
concerned  in  this  firft  Adventure  of  Virginia.  He  was  a 
Man  eminently  fitted  to  ferve  his  Country,  in  Peace  or 
War,  by  Land  or  Sea,  and  was  fo  deeply  rooted  in  the  Af- 
fection and  Efteem  of  his  illuftrious  Kinfman,  Sir  Walter 
Ralegh.,  that  he  honoured  his  Death  with  a  particular  Re- 
lation of  the  A6lion  by  his  own  excellent  Pen,  which  he 
caufed  to  be  immediately  printed  the  latter  End  of  the  fame 
Year  1 591,  to  obviate  fome  Afperfions,  caft  upon  him  by 
fome  of  the  Spaniards.  The  reft  of  the  Englijl^  Ships 
having  Sea-Room,  fought  bravely,  and  did  every  thing, 
that  could  be  expefted  from  valiant  Men,  whilft  they  had 
the  Advantage  of  the  Wind.  The  Lord  Hoiuard  was  for 
even  hazarding  the  whole  Fleet  in  the  Refcue  of  Sir  Richard 
Greenvil.,  and  for  charging  up  to  the  Place,  where  he  was 
engaged.  But  he  was  over-ruled  by  the  other  Officers, 
whofe  Prudence  is  commended  even  by  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  ; 
altho'  no  Perfon  can  certainly  fay,  I  think,  what  might 
have  been  the  Event,  had  fix   Ships  of  War  more   befides 

the 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  I. 

the  Privateers,  fallen  upon  an  Enemy,  whom  one  Ship  alone 
had  for  fo  long  a  time  kept  in  fuch  warm  Action.  When 
the  Night  parted  them  from  the  Enemy,  they  all  went  off 
fafe,  and  in  their  Way  home  took  feveral  rich  Prizes.  Sir 
Richard's  Ship  too,  the  Revenge^  of  500  Tons  Burthen, 
and  about  20  Iron  Guns,  made  good  her  Name.  For  a  few 
Days  after  fhe  foundered  at  Sea,  and  drowned  two  hundred 
Spaniards^  who  had   been   put  aboard  to  carry  her  to  Spain. 

But  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  being,  by  the  aboye-mentioned 
Aflignment,  eafed  in  fome  A4eafure  of  the  Undertaking  of 
Virginia^  was  foon  engaged  by  his  a<5live  and  enterprifing 
Genius  in  other  Adventures  and  Difcoveries.  He  contri- 
buted generoufly  towards  the  Difcovery  of  the  North-Weji 
Paffage,  and  other  things  of  the  like  Nature.  But  having 
loft  his  Royal  Miftrefs's  Favour,  by  debauching  one  of  her 
Maids  of  Honour,  whom  he  afterwards  married,  he  under- 
took in  Perfon,  in  the  Year  1595,  the  Voyage  and  Difco- 
very of  Guiana^  a  rich  Country  up  the  River  Oronaque^  in 
South  J?nerica.  After  his  Return,  he  wrote  a  moft  excel- 
lent Difcourfe  upon  his  Expedition,  in  which  his  chief  Aim 
was  to  engage  the  Queen  and  Nation  in  the  Profecution  of 
the  Enterprife,  and  Settlement  of  the  Country.  But  all 
his  Reafons  were  overpowered  by  the  Envy  of  fome  great 
Men  to  his  Perfon  and  Merit ;  and  altho'  he  was  reftored 
to  the  Queen's  Favour,  yet  he  could  never  get  any  thing 
done  to  Effect  in  this  important  and  judicious  Defign. 
However  he  never  quitted  it  himfelf,  but  fent  twice  imme- 
diately after,  to  make  farther  Difcoveries,  and  to  keep  up 
the  good  Difpofitions  of  the  Natives  towards  the  EyigliJJ). 
Even  after  his  Fall,  and  when  he  was  in  the  Tower,  he 
found  Means  to  continue  this  Defign  ;  and  his  laft  Voyage 
thither,  after  his  Releafe,  with  the  fatal  Confequences  of 
it,  is  too  well  known,  to  need  a  particular  Relation  here. 
Neither  was  he,  notwithftanding  the  Aflignment,  negligent 
or  forgetful  of  the  Colony,  which  had  been  feated  in  Virgi- 
nia upon  his  Account.  For  he  fent  five  feveral  Times,  to 
fearch  after,  and  relieve  them  ;  and  laft  he  difpatched 
Samuel  Mace^  of  Weymouth^  in  March  1 602.  But  he,  like 
all  the  reft,  performed  nothing,  but  returned  with  idle 
Stories  and  frivolous  Allegations. 

However,  thefe  Eftbrts  of  Sir  Walter  were  only  in- 
tended to  recover  and  bring  off  thofe  poor  People,  and  no 
ways  in  Profecution  of  his  firft  Defign  of  fettling  a  Colo- 
ny. So  that  all  Thoughts  of  Virginia  were  abandoned, 
and  the  ProjecSl  lay  dead  for  near  twelve  Years,  when  it 
was  revived  by  Captain  Bartholo?new  Gojtiold^  who  under- 
took a  Voyage  thither,  and  fet  Sail   from   Dartmouth^  on 

the 


Book  I.      r/6^   History   <?/  VIRGINIA. 

the  twenty  fixth  of  March  1602,  in  a  fmall  Bark,  with 
thirty  two  Men.  He  kept  as  far  North  as  the  Winds  would 
permit,  and  was  the  firll  that  came  in  a  dire6l  Courfe  to 
America. 

On  the  nth  of  May^  being  about  the  Latitude  of  forty 
three,  they  made  Land,  on  the  Coaft  of  New-England.,  as 
it  hath  been  fince  called.  But  as  all  this  Continent  bore 
the  Name  of  Florida.,  till  the  Difcovery  of  the  EngliJJ}  in 
1584,  fo  afterwards  all  that  TracSl  of  Country,  from  34  to 
45  Degrees  of  Northern  Latitude,  was  called  Virginia.,  till 
from  different  Settlements  it  got  different  Names.  The 
Land  was  low  ;  the  Shore  white  Sand,  and  rocky,  yet  over- 
grown with  fair  and  ftately  Trees.  Coming  to  an  Anchor, 
eight  Indians.,  in  a  Shallop,  with  Maft  and  Sail,  came  boldly 
on  board  them.  By  their  Signs,  and  by  the  Shallop  and 
other  things,  which  they  had,  they  judged,  that  fome  Bif- 
cayneers  had  been  fifliing  there.  But  finding  no  good  Har- 
bour, they  weighed,  and  flood  to  the  Southward  into  the 
Sea.  The  next  Morning,  they  found  themfelves  embayed 
with  a  mighty  Head-land  ;  and  going  to  the  neighbouring 
Hills,  they  perceived  it  to  be  Part  of  the  Continent,  almoft 
environed  with  Iflands.  Here,  in  a  few  Hours,  they  caught 
more  Cod,  then  they  knew,  what  to  do  with  ;  from  whence 
the  Place  obtained  the  Name  of  Cape-Cod.  And  they  thence 
alfo  concluded,  that  a  good  Fifhery  might  be  found  there, 
in  the  Months  of  March.,  April.,  and  May. 

Soon  after  they  went  to  the  Iflands,  and  anchored  near 
one  of  them.  They  found  it  four  Miles  in  Compafs,  with- 
out Houfe  or  Inhabitant.  In  it  was  a  Lake,  near  a  Mile  in 
Circuit ;  and  the  reft  fo  overgrown  with  Vines,  which  co- 
vered all  the  Trees  and  Bufhes,  that  they  could  fcarce  pafs 
through  them.  They  likewife  found  Plenty  of  Strawber- 
ries, Rafberries,  Goofberries,  and  divers  other  Fruits  in 
Bloom,  and  therefore  called  the  Ifland  Martha''?,  Vineyard. 
They  then  vifited  the  reft  of  the  Ifles,  and  found  them  re- 
pleniftied  with  the  like  Produ6ts.  One  they  named  Eliza- 
beth's IJJand.,  in  Honour  to  their  ancient  Sovereign,  in  which 
they  planted  Wheat,  Barley,  Oats,  and  Peafe,  which  fprung 
up  nine  Inches  in  fourteen  Days.  From  hence  they  went 
to  the  Main,  where  they  ftood  for  fome  time  raviflied  at 
the  Beauty  and  Delicacy  of  the  Country.  But  foon  after 
returning  to  Elizabeth''?,  Ijland.,  they  fpent  three  Weeks  in 
building  a  Houfe,  in  a  fmall  Ifland  of  about  an  Acre  of 
Ground,  which  ftood  in  the  Midft  of  a  large  Lake  of  frefh 
Water,  about  three  Miles  in  Circumference. 

They  faw  feveral  of  the  Natives,  with  whom  they 
made  mutual  Prefents,  and  had  fome  fmall  Traffick.     They 


were 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.        Book  I. 

were  of  an  excellent  Conftitution  of  Body,  a6live,  llrong, 
healthful,  and  very  ingenious,  as  divers  of  their  Joys  tefti- 
fied.  The  bafer  Sort  would  fteal,  but  thofe  of  better  Rank 
were  very  civil  and  juft.  Not  one  of  the  Englijh  was  af- 
fected with  any  Sicknefs  ;  but  they  rather  grew  more  heal- 
thy and  ftrong,  notwithftanding  their  bad  Diet  and  Lodging. 
Twelve  had  refolved  to  ftay  ;  but,  confidering  how  meanly 
they  were  provided,  they  were  at  laft  all  obliged  to  leave 
this  Ifland,  not  without  much  Sorrow  and  Relu6lancy,  and 
arrived  at  Exmouth  the  23d  of  fuly. 
1603.  The  Beginning  of  the  next  Year,  died  that  ever-memo- 

rable and  glorious  Princefs,  Queen  Elizabeth^  and  was  fuc- 
ceeded  by  King  yames  VI.  of  Scotland.  He  was  fcarce 
warm  in  his  Throne,  before,  as  a  Prefage  of  his  future  weak 
and  inglorious  Reign,  he  confined  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  in  the 
Tower,  for  a  moft  myfterious  and  inextricable  Plot.  This 
great  Man,  as  he  was  the  firft  Undertaker  and  Mover  of 
thefe  Difcoveries,  is  ufuallv  looked  upon  as  the  Founder  and 
Father  of  our  Country.  And  indeed  we  are  proud  to  own 
for  fuch,  a  Perfon  of  his  diftinguifhed  Merit  and  Parts, 
who  was  one  of  the  brightcfl:  Ornaments  of  his  Age  and 
Country,  highly  in  the  Favour  and  Efteem  of  Queen  Eli- 
zabeth^ and  afterwards  the  Sacrifice  of  her  mean  and  pufil- 
lanimous  Succeffor.  But  yet  it  mufl:  be  confefl'ed,  that  his 
Adventurers  touched  but  once,  and  then  (lightly,  on  our 
Country  ;  but  ftill  kept  on  in  the  fame  unfortunate  Tra6l, 
on  the  fhoaly  and  importuous  Coaft  of  North-Carolina. 
Altho'  his  Judgment  foon  diftinguifhed  from  the  Accounts, 
he  received,  the  Advantages  of  Chefapeake  for  feating  his 
Capital  City  of  Ralegh  ;  and  had  his  Orders  been  followed, 
it  might  perhaps  have  given  a  quite  different  Turn  to  the 
Affairs  of  the  Colony.  For  it  would  not  only  have  freed 
them  from  the  Hazards  and  Difficulties,  they  encountered 
on  that  dangerous  Coaft,  and  every  where  have  fupplied 
them  with  fafe  and  convenient  Harbours,  but  would  have 
naturally  led  them  to  the  Search  and  Difcoverv  of  one  of 
the  moft  commodious  Countries  perhaps  in  the  World,  for 
Shipping  and  Veffels. 

The  fame  Year  1603,  by  the  Perfuafions  of  Mr. 
Richard  Hackluyt  (a  curious  and  inquifitive  Gentleman,  and 
foon  after  a  Prebend  of  Wejhninjier.,  who  publifhed  the 
noted  Collection  of  Voyages  and  Travels)  the  Mayor  and 
Aldermen,  with  moft  of  the  Merchants  of  Brijiol^  raifed  a 
Stock  of  a  thoufand  Pounds,  and  fitted  out  two  Veffels. 
But  firft  they  obtained  the  Leave  and  Permiffion  of  Sir 
Walter  Ralegh^  as  Proprietor  of  the  Country,  to  make 
Difcoveries  in   Virginia.     Martin  Pritig  was  made  Captain, 

an 


Book  I.        "The   History   e/"  VIRGINIA. 

an  underftanding  Gentleman  and  able  Mariner  ;  and  Robert 
Saltern^  who  had  been  with  Captain  Gofnold  the  Year  be- 
fore, was  appointed  his  Afliftant  and  Pilot.  But  as,  for 
the  moft  Part,  they  followed  Captain  GofnoW^  Courfe, 
their  Difcoveries  were  nothing  extraordinary  or  different 
from  his. 

But  another  Bark  was  this  Year  fent  from  London^  un- 
der the  Command  of  Captain  Bartholomew  Gilbert^  who 
had  likewife  been  with  Captain  Gofnold.  After  fome  fmall 
Trade  in  the  IVeJl-Indies^  they  fell  in  with  the  Coaft  of 
America  in  about  37  Degrees  of  Northern  Latitude  ;  and 
fome  Authors  fay,  they  run  up  into  Chefapeake  Bay,  where 
the  Captain,  going  afhore,  was  killed  with  four  of  his 
Men.  This  ftruck  fuch  a  Damp  and  Difcouragement  into 
the  reft,  that  they  immediately  weighed  Anchor,  and  re- 
turned to  England.,  without  any  further  Attempt  or  Difco- 
very. 

Two  Years  after.  Captain  George  Weymouth  was  fent  by  jgoc. 
the  Earl  of  Southampton  and  the  Lord  Arundel  of  Warder., 
to  make  Difcoveries  on  the  Coaft  of  Virginia.  He  intend- 
ed to  the  Southward  of  39  ;  but  was  forced  by  the  Winds 
farther  Northward.,  and  fell  among  fome  Shoals  in  41  Deg. 
20  Min.  But  having  happily  difengaged  themfelves,  on  the 
1 8th  of  May  they  made  Land.  It  appeared  to  be  a  main 
high  Land,  but  they  found  it  an  Ifland  of  fix  Miles  in 
Compafs.  From  thence  they  could  difcern  the  Continent 
and  very  high  Mountains  ;  and  coafting  among  the  Iflands, 
adjoining  to  the  Main,  they  found  an  excellent  Harbour. 
They  dug  a  Garden  the  twenty  fecond  of  May  \  and  among 
their  Seeds,  they  fowed  Barley  and  Peafe,  which  grew  up 
eight  Inches  in  fixteen  Days  ;  altho'  they  judged  the  Mould 
much  inferior  to  what  they  found  afterwards  on  the  Main. 
On  the  30th  of  May.,  the  Captain  with  thirteen  more,  went 
to  view  and  difcover  the  Continent ;  and  having  found  a 
fair  River,  running  up  into  the  Country,  they  returned 
back  to  bring  in  the  Ship.  What  River  this  was,  and 
what  Part  of  the  American  Coaft  they  fell  upon,  is  difficult 
to  determine  exailly.  For  their  negle6ting  to  tell  us  what 
Courfe  they  fteered,  after  they  were  difengaged  from  the 
Shoals,  renders  it  doubtful,  whether  they  fell  in  with  fome 
Part  of  the  Majfachufefs  Bay  ;  or  rather  farther  Southward., 
on  the  Coaft  of  Rhode-Ijland.,  Naraganfet.,  or  Connecticut ; 
altho'  I  am  moft  inclined  to  believe,  this  River  was  either 
that  of  Naraganfet  or  ConneBicut  \  and  the  Ifland,  what  is 
now  called  Block-IJland.  However  it  is  certain,  that  Old- 
mixon.,  (the  Author  of  the  Book,  entitled.  The  Britijh  Em- 
pire in  America^  according  to  his  ufual  Cuftom,  is^  here 
^  D  moft 


rhe   History   ^/VIRGINIA.     Book  11. 

moft  egregioufly  bewildered  and  loft.  For  after  having, 
injudicioufly  enough,  determined  the  fmall  Ifland  they  firft 
made,  of  fix  Miles  in  Compafs,  to  be  Long-ljland^  on  the 
Coaft  of  Neiu-Tork^  he  immediately  after,  with  ftill  grea- 
ter Abfurdity  and  Grofnefs,  calls  this  the  River  of  Powha- 
tan^ now  'James  River,  to  the  Southward^  as  he  fays,  of 
the  Bay  of  Chefapeake. 

When  Captain  Weymouth  returned  aboard,  he  found, 
that  the  Indians  had  contracted  an  Acquaintance  with  his 
Crew  ;  that  they  had  had  fome  fmall  Trade  together  ;  and 
that  there  was  much  outward  Shew  of  Kindnefs  and  Civi- 
lity between  them.  For  as  the  Englijh  intended  to  inhabit 
their  Country,  and  as  it  was  the  chief  Defign  of  the  noble 
Adventurers,  who  had  fent  them,  to  propagate  Chriftianity 
among  thofe  barbarous  People,  they  ufed  them  very  kindly  ; 
and  exchanging  Hoftages,  would  fometimes  lie  afhore  with 
them,  and  they  fometimes  aboard  with  the  Englijh.  At 
laft  they  were  very  preiTmg  with  the  Captain,  to  go  to  the 
Main,  to  trade  with  their  Bafhabes,  or  chief  Lord.  He 
accordingly  manned  his  Boat  with  fourteen  Hands,  and  at- 
tended them.  But  having  plainly  difcovered  their  Trea- 
chery, and  that  it  was  only  a  Stratagem  to  cut  them  off, 
he  feifed  five,  and  ever  afterwards  treated  them  with  great 
Civility,  but  never  more  trufted  them. 

Having  fpent  fome  time  in  founding  all  the  Ifles, 
Channels,  and  Inlets,  and  found  four  feveral  Ways  of  bring- 
ing a  Ship  into  the  Bay,  they  at  laft  ran  theirs  twenty  fix 
Miles  up  the  River.  They  found,  it  flowed  eighteen  Feet, 
was  a  Mile  wide  forty  Miles  from  the  Mouth,  had  a  bold 
Channel  from  fix  to  ten  Fathom  deep,  and  every  half  Mile 
beautiful  Coves  and  Harbours,  fome  of  them  to  contain  an 
hundred  Sail  of  Veflels.  The  Land  was  very  rich,  trend- 
ing all  along  in  an  equal  Plain,  neither  mountainous  nor 
rocky,  but  verged  with  a  green  Border  of  Grafs  ;  and  the 
Woods  were  large  and  tall,  and  delightfully  watered  with 
many  frefh  Springs  and  Rivulets.  Leaving  their  Ship,  they 
went  feven  Miles  higher  than  the  fait  Water  flowed,  and 
then  marched  towards  the  Mountains.  But  the  Weather 
was  fo  hot,  and  the  Fatigue  fo  great,  that  having  erected 
a  Crofs,  they  willingly  returned  to  their  Ship,  Soon  after, 
they  failed  for  England^  and  arrived  at  Dartmouth  the  i8th 
of  July  ;  carrying  with  them  the  five  Indians^  taken  by 
the  Captain,  whereof  one  was  a  Sagamo,  or  Commander, 
and  three  others,  Perfons  of  Figure  and  Diftin6lion  in  their 
own  Country. 

THE 


35 


THE 

HISTORY 

OF 
VIRGINIA, 

BOOK    II. 


^^^^  A  P  T  A  I  N  Bartholomew  Gofnold  had  made  a 
^  ^^  Voyage  to  the  Northern  Parts  of  Virginia^  in 
^  C  ipi  the  Year  1602,  as  hath  been  before  related. 
S^iC*^^  He  was  fo  wonderfully  pleafed  with  the  Plea- 
■"  fantnefs    and    Fertility    of   the    Places    he    faw, 

that,  after  his  Return  to  England^  he  made  it  his  Bufinefs 
to  follicit  all  his  Friends  and  Acquaintance,  to  join  with 
him  in  an  Attempt  to  fettle  fo  delightful  a  Country.  After 
fome  Years  fpent  in  vain,  he  at  laft  prevailed  with  Cap- 
tain "John  Smithy  Mr.  Edward-Maria  Wingfield^  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Robert  Hunt^  and  divers  others,  to  join  in  the  Under- 
taking. But  fettling  Colonies  is  an  Enterprife  of  too  great 
Burthen  and  Expence  for  a  {&vf  private  Perfons  ;  and  there- 
fore, after  many  vain  Projects,  they  applied  themfelves  to 
feveral  of  the  Nobility,  Gentry,  and  Merchants,  and  by 
their  great  Charge  and  Induftry,  recommended  their  Scheme 
fo  effe6tually  to  them,  that  they  came  into  it  very  heartily. 
And  firfl:,  Letters  patent  were  obtained  from  King 
"James  I.  bearing  Date  the  loth  of  Aprils  1606,  to  Sir  Tho- 
mas Gates^  and  Sir  George  So/ners^  Knights,  Richard  Hack- 
luyt^  Clerk,  Prebendary  of  IVeJhninjier.^  Edward-Maria 
Wingfield^  with  others  unnamed,  for  the  Southern  Colony  ; 
and  to  Thomas  Hanham^  and  Ralegh  Gilbert^  Efqrs,  IVil- 
liam  Parker^  and  George  Popham^  Gentlemen,  and  others 
D  2  unnamed, 


1606. 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

unnamed,  for  the  Northern  Colony.  By  this  Charter,  all 
that  Tradt  of  Country,  from  34  to  45  Degrees  of  North 
Latitude,  which  then  went  under  the  common  Name  of 
Virginia^  was  divided  into  two  Parts ;  called  the  Firft  Co- 
lony and  the  Second.  The  Firft  or  Southern  Colony  was 
defigned  for  the  City  of  London^  and  fuch  as  would  adven- 
ture with  them,  to  difcover  and  chufe  a  Place  of  Settlement, 
any  where  between  the  Degrees  of  34  and  41.  The  Se- 
cond or  Northern  Part,  was  appropriated  to  the  Cities  of 
Brijlol^  Exeter^  Plimouth^  and  the  Wejiern  Parts  of  En- 
gland^ and  all  thofe,  that  would  adventure  and  join  with 
them,  to  make  their  Choice,  any  where  between  the  De- 
grees of  38  and  45  ;  provided,  there  fhould  be  at  leaft  an 
hundred  jVIiles  Diftance  between  the  two  Colonies.  For 
each  of  them  was  to  extend  fifty  Miles  from  the  Place  of 
their  firft  Habitation,  each  way  along  the  Coaft.  But  I 
ftiall  make  no  Abftra(£l:  of  this  Charter,  having  caufed  it  to 
be  printed  at  large  in  the  Appendix,  to  which  I  refer  the 
Reader. 

But  befides  this  Charter,  the  King  gave  divers  Articles, 
Inftru6lions,  and  Orders,  under  his  Sign  Manual,  and  the 
Privy  Seal  of  England^  dated  the  20th  of  November^  1606  ; 
wherein  he  eftabliihes  and  ordains  a  Council,  under  the 
Name  of  the  King's  Council  for  Virginia.  This  confifted 
of  the  following  Perfons  ;  Sir  William  Wade.,  Lieutenant 
of  the  Tower  of  London.,  Sir  Thotnas  S?nith^  Sir  Walter 
Cope.,  Sir  George  More.,  Sir  Francis  Popha7n.,  Sir  Ferdinando 
Gorges^  Sir  John  Trevor^  Sir  Henry  Montagu.,  Recorder  of 
the  City  of  London.,  and  Sir  William  Romney^  Knights  ; 
John  Dodderidge.,  Sollicitor  General,  and  Thomas  Warr., 
Efqrs;  John  Eldred.,  of  the  City  of  London.,  Thomas  James., 
of  Brijiol.,  and  James  Bagg.,  of  Pliinouth.,  in  the  County  of 
Devon.,  Merchants.  But  thefe  being  foon  found  too  few, 
and  by  Reafon  of  the  Diftance  of  their  Habitations  from 
each  other,  difficult  to  be  got  together  in  any  competent 
Number,  his  Majefty,  by  an  Ordinance  dated  the  9th  of 
March  following,  augmented  this  Council  with  Sir  Thomas 
Challenor.,  Sir  Henry  Nevil.,  Sir  Fulke  Grevil.,  Sir  John 
Scot.,  Sir  Robert  Manfel.,  Sir  Oliver  Cromwell.,  Sir  Morris 
Berkeley.,  Sir  Edward  Michelborne.,  Sir  Thomas  Holcroft.,  Sir 
Thomas  Smith.,  Clerk  of  the  Privy  Council,  Sir  Robert  Kil- 
ligrew..  Sir  Herbert  Croft.,  Sir  George  Copping.,  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys.,  Sir  Thomas  Roe.,  and  Sir  Anthony  Palmer.,  Knights, 
nominated  to  him  by  and  on  the  Behalf  of  the  firft  Colony  j 
and  with  Sir  Edward  Hungerford.,  Sir  John  Mallet.,  Sir  John 
Gilbert.,  Sir  Thoinas  Freake.,  Sir  Richard  Hazvkins.,  and  Sir 
Bartholomew   Mitchel.,    Knights ;    Thomas    Seamer.,    Bernard 

GreenviL 


Book  II.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Greenvil^  and  Edward  Rogers^  Efqrs  ;  and  Matthezu  Sutcliffe^ 
DocStor  of  Divinity,  and  afterwards  Dean  of  Exeter^  nomi- 
nated to  him  by  and  on  the  Behalf  of  the  fecond  Colony. 

In  this  laft  Inftrument,  there  was  a  Difl:in6lion  and  Se- 
peration  made  of  the  two  Councils  ;  but  in  the  former  of 
the  20th  of  November^  Sir  IVilliam  Wade^  and  the  reft, 
were  conftituted  his  Majefty's  Council  for  both  Colonies, 
for  all  Matters  that  fhould  happen  in  Virginia^  or  any  the 
Territories  of  America^  between  34  and  45  Degrees  of 
North  Latitude,  according  to  the  Purport  and  Tenor  of 
the  Letters  patent :  That  they  fliould  have  full  Power 
and  Authority,  at  the  Pleafure,  and  in  the  Name  of  his 
Majefty,  his  Heirs,  or  Succeflors,  to  give  Dire61:ions  to 
the  Councils,  refident  in  America^  for  the  good  Govern- 
ment of  the  People  there,  and  for  the  proper  ordering 
and  difpofing  all  Caufes  within  the  fame,  in  Subftance 
as  near  to  the  Common  Law  of  England^  and  the  Equity 
thereof,  as  might  be  ;  referving  to  his  Majefty,  his  Heirs 
and  Succeffors,  a  Power  to  increafe,  alter,  or  change 
the  faid  Council,  at  their  Will  and  Pleafure  :  And  that 
this  his  Majefty's  Council  in  England^  fhould  nominate 
and  appoint  the  firft  Members  of  the  feveral  Councils, 
to  be  refident  in  the  Colonies. 

"  That  the  faid  Councils,  refident  in  the  Colonies,  or 
the  major  Part  of  them,  fhould  chufe  one  of  their  own 
Body,  not  being  a  Minifter  of  God's  Word,  to  be  Prefi- 
dent  of  the  fame,  and  to  continue  in  that  Office  by  the 
Space  of  one  whole  Year,  and  no  longer  :  And  that  it 
fhould  be  lawful  for  the  major  Part  of  the  faid  Councils, 
upon  any  juft  Caufe,  either  of  Abfence  or  otherwife,  to 
remove  the  Prefident,  or  any  other  of  the  Council ;  and 
in  Cafe  of  Death  or  fuch  Removal,  to  eleil  another  into 
the  vacant  Place  :  Provided  always,  that  the  Number  of 
each  of  the  faid  Councils  fhould  not  exceed  thirteen. 
"  That  the  faid  Prefidents,  Councils,  and  the  Minifters, 
fhould  provide,  that  the  true  Word  and  Service  of  God 
be  preached,  planted,  and  ufed,  not  only  in  the  faid  Co- 
lonies, but  alfo,  as  much  as  might  be,  among  the  Sava- 
ges bordering  upon  them,  according  to  the  Rites  and 
Do6trine  of  the  Church  of  England. 

"  That  they  fhould  not  fuffer  any  to  withdraw  the 
People  of  the  faid  Colonies  from  the  Allegiance  of  the 
King,  his  Heirs,  or  SuccefTors ;  but  fhould  caufe  all 
Perlons  fo  offending,  to  be  apprehended  and  imprifoned, 
till  full  and  due  Reformation,  or  if  the  Caufe  fo  required, 
fhould  fend  them  to  England.,  with  all  convenient  Speed, 
there  to  receive  condign  Punifhment. 

D  3  "  That 


38  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

i6c6.  "  That   all   Lands,    Tenements,   and    Hereditaments, 

"  fliould  be  had,  inhabited,  and  enjoyed,  within  the  faid 
"  Colonies,  as  the  like  Eftates  are  held  and  enjoyed,  by 
*'  the  Laws  in  England. 

"  That  Tumults,  Rebellion,  Confpiracy,  Mutiny, 
"  and  Sedition,  together  with  Murder,  Manflaughter,  In- 
"  ceft,  Rapes,  and  Adultery,  committed  within  any  of  the 
"  Degrees  aforefaid,  (and  no  other  OfFences)  fhould  be 
"  punifhed  by  Death  without  Benefit  of  Clergy,  except  in 
"  Cafe  of  Manflaughter,  to  which  Clergy  fhould  be  allow- 
"  ed  :  And  that  the  faid  Prefidents  and  Councils,  within 
"  their  feveral  Limits  and  Precin6ls,  fhould  have  full  Power 
"  and  Authority,  to  hear  and  determine  concerning  the 
"  faid  Offences,  in  Manner  and  Form  following  ;  viz.  by 
"  a  Jury  of  twelve  honefl  and  indifferent  Perfons,  returned 
''  by  proper  Officers,  and  fworn  upon  the  Evangelifts, 
"  who  fhould,  according  to  the  Evidence  given,  upon  their 
"  Oath,  and  according  to  the  Truth  in  their  Confciences, 
"  convi6l  or  acquit  the  feveral  Perfons  fo  accufed,  and 
"  tried  by  them  :  That  every  Perfon  who  fhould  volunta- 
"  rily  confefs  the  faid  Offences,  or  fhould  ftand  mute,  and 
"  refufe  to  plead,  or  make  direct  Anfwer,  fhould  be,  and 
"  be  held  as  fully  convi6led  of  the  fame,  as  if  he  had  been 
''  found  guilty  by  the  Verdi6l  of  the  twelve  Jurors  afore- 
"  faid  :  That  the  faid  Prefidents  and  Councils,  or  the  Ma- 
''  jor  Part  of  them,  within  their  feveral  Precin6f:s  and  Li- 
"  mits,  fhould  have  full  Power  and  Authority,  to  give 
"  Judgment  of  Death  upon  every  fuch  Offender,  without 
"  Benefit  of  Clergy,  except  in  Cafe  of  Manflaughter  only  : 
"  And  that  no  Perfon,  fo  adjudged  or  condemned,  fhould 
"  be  reprieved,  but  by  the  Confent  of  the  faid  Prefident 
"  and  Council,  or  the  major  Part  of  them  ;  nor  fhould 
"  receive  full  Pardon,  or  be  abfolutely  difcharged  from  the 
"  faid  Offences,  but  by  the  Pardon  of  the  King,  his  Heirs, 
"  or  Succeffors,  under  the  Great  Seal  oi  England :  And  fi- 
"  nally,  that  all  Perfons,  offending  as  aforefaid,  within 
"  the  Degrees  abovementioned,  but  out  of  the  Precinils 
"  of  their  own  Colony,  fhould  be  tried  and  punifhed  in 
*'  their  proper  and  refpe6live  Colony, 

"  That  the  faid  Prefidents  and  Councils,  within  their 
"  feveral  Precinils  and  Limits,  fhould  have  Power  and  Au- 
"  thority,  to  hear  and  determine  all  other  Wrongs,  Tref- 
''  paffes,  and  Mifdemeanors  whatfoever  ;  and  on  fufficient 
"  Proof  upon  Oath,  fhould  refpe^lively  punifh  the  Offen- 
"  ders,  either  by  reafonable  corporal  Punifliment  and  Im- 
"  prifonment,  or  elfe  by  awarding  fuch  Damages,  or  other 
"  Satisfaction,  to  the  Parties  aggrieved,  as  to  them,  or  the 

"  more 


Book  II.      "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

"  more  Part  of  them,  fhould  feem  fit  and  convenient  :  And 
"  that  the  faid  Prefidents  and  Councils  fhould  have  Pow^er 
"  to  punifli  all  Manner  of  Excefs,  through  Drunkennefs 
"  or  otherwife,  and  all  loitering,  idle,  and  vagrant  Per- 
"  fons,  within  their  refpe£live  Precin£fs,  according  to  their 
"  befl:  Difcretions,  and  with  fuch  convenient  Punifhment, 
"  as  they,  or  the  mofl:  Part  of  them,  fhould  think  fit : 
"  That  thefe  judicial  Proceedings  {hould  be  made  fumma- 
*'  rily  and  verbally,  without  Writing,  till  they  came  to  the 
"  Judgment  or  Sentence,  which  fhould  be  briefly  regiflred 
*'  into  a  Book,  kept  for  that  Purpofe,  together  with  the 
"  Caufe,  for  which  the  faid  Judgment  or  Sentence  was 
"  given,  fubfcribed  by  the  faid  Prefident  and  Council,  or 
"  by  fuch  of  them  as  gave  the  Judgment. 

"  That  for  five  Years,  next  after  their  landing  on  the 
"  Coafl  of  Virginia^  the  faid  feveral  Colonies,  and  every 
"  Perfon  thereof,  fhould  trade  altogether  in  one  Stock,  or  in 
"  two  or  three  Stocks  at  moft,  and  fhould  bring  all  the  Fruits 
"  of  their  Labours  there,  with  all  their  Goods  and  Com- 
"  modities  from  England  or  elfewhere,  into  feveral  Maga- 
"•  zines  or  Storehoufes,  for  that  Purpofe  to  be  ere6led,  in 
"  fuch  Order,  Manner,  and  Form,  as  the  Councils  of  the 
"  refpeilive  Colonies,  or  the  more  Part  of  them,  fhould 
"  prefcribe  and  direct  :  That  there  fhould  be  annually  cho- 
"  fen  by  the  Prefident  and  Council  of  each  Colony,  or  the 
''  major  Part  of  them,  one  Perfon  of  their  Colony,  to  be 
*'  Treafurer  or  Cape-Merchant  of  the  fame,  to  take  Charge 
"  of,  and  to  manage,  all  Goods  and  Wares,  brought  into, 
"  or  delivered  out  of,  the  faid  Magazines  ;  upon  whofe 
"  Death,  voluntary  Refignation,  or  Removal  for  any  juft 
"  and  reafonable  Caufe,  it  fhould  be  lawful  for  the  faid 
"  Prefident  and  Council,  to  eleil  any  other,  or  others,  in 
"  his  Room  :  That  there  fhould  alfo  be  ele6f:ed,  by  the 
"  faid  Prefident  and  Council,  two  others  (or  more,  if  need 
"  be)  Perfons  of  Difcretion  ;  the  one  to  enter  into  a  Book, 
"  kept  for  that  Purpofe,  all  Goods,  Wares,  and  Merchan- 
"  difes,  brought  into  ;  and  the  other,  to  charge,  in  a  like 
*'  Book,  all  taken  out  of  the  faid  Magazines  or  Storehoufes  ; 
"  which  Clerks  fhould  continue  in  their  Places,  only  at  the 
"  Will  of  the  Prefident  and  Council  of  their  refpe6tive  Co- 
"  lony  :  And  laflly,  that  every  Perfon  of  each  of  the  faid 
"  Colonies,  fhould  be  furnifhed  with  NecefTaries  out  of  the 
"  faid  Magazines,  for  the  Space  of  five  Years,  by  the  Ap- 
"  pointment.  Direction,  and  Order,  of  the  Prefident  and 
''  Council  of  their  refpe6five  Colonies,  or  of  the  Cape- 
*■'  Merchant  and  two  Clerks,  or  the  major  Part  of  them. 

D  4  "  That 


40  rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1606.  "  That  the  Adventurers  of  the    Firft   Colony   fhould 

chufe,  out  of  themfelves,  one  or  more  Companies,  each 
confifting  of  three  Perfons  at  the  leaft,  to  refide  in  or 
near  London^  or  at  fuch  other  Place  or  Places,  as  the 
Council  for  that  Colony,  for  the  time  being,  or  the  moft 
Part  of  them,  during  the  faid  five  Years,  fhould  think 
fit :  In  the  fame  Manner,  that  the  Adventurers  of  the 
Second  Colony  {hould  chufe  the  like  Companies,  to  be 
refident  at  or  near  Pl'imouth^  or  at  fuch  one,  tw^o,  or 
three  other  Places  or  Ports,  as  the  Council  for  that  Co- 
lony fhould  think  fit :  And  that  thefe  minor  Companies 
fhould,  from  time  to  time,  take  Care  and  Charge  of 
the  Trade,  and  an  Account  of  all  the  Goods,  Wares, 
and  Merchandifes,  that  fhould  be  fent  from  Ettgland  to 
their  refpe^tive  Colonies,  and  brought  from  the  Colonies 
into  England^  and  of  all  other  Things,  relating  to  the 
Affairs  and  Profits  of  their  feveral  Companies. 
"  That  no  Perfon  fhould  be  admitted  to  abide  or  re- 
main in  the  faid  Colonies,  but  fuch  as  fhould  take,  not 
only  the  ufual  Oath  of  Obedience,  but  alfo  the  Oath, 
preicribed  in  the  laft  Seflion  of  Parliament,  holden  at 
Wejlm'infter  in  the  fourth  Year  of  his  Majefly's  Reign, 
for  due  Obedience  to  the  King,  his  Heirs,  and  Succef- 
fors. 

"  That  the  Prefidents  and  Councils  of  the  faid  Colo- 
nies, or  the  major  Part  of  them,  fhould  have  Power  to 
conftitute,  make,  and  ordain,  from  time  to  time,  Laws, 
Ordinances,  and  Officers,  for  the  better  Order,  Go- 
vernment, and  Peace  of  their  refpeilive  Colonies  ;  pro- 
vided neverthelefs,  that  thofe  Ordinances  and  Conflitu- 
tions  did  not  touch  any  Party  in  Life  or  Member  :  And 
that  the  faid  Laws  and  Ordinances  fhould  fland  and  con- 
tinue in  full  Force,  till  the  fame  fhould  be  otherwife 
altered  or  made  void  by  the  King,  his  Heirs,  or  Suc- 
ceflx)rs,  or  by  his  Majefly's  Council  in  England  for  Vir- 
ginia^ or  by  their  own  Council,  there  refident :  Provided 
alwavs,  that  the  faid  Alterations  fhould  ftand  with,  and 
be  in  Subflance  confonant  to,  the  Laws  of  England^  or 
the  Equity  thereof. 

"  That  all  Perfons  fhould  kindly  treat  the  favage  and 
heathen  People  in  thofe  Parts,  and  ufe  all  proper  Means 
to  draw  them  to  the  true  Service  and  Knowledge  of 
God,  and  that  all  jufl  and  charitable  Courfes  fhould  be 
taken  with  fuch  of  them,  as  would  conform  themfelves 
to  any  good  and  fociable  Tralfick,  thereby  the  fooner  to 
bring  them  to  the  Knowledge  of  God,  and  the  Obe- 
dience of  the  King,  his  Heirs,  and  SuccefFors,  under  fuch 

"  fevere 


Book  II.       rZv    History   of  VIRGINIA,  41 

*'  fevere    Pains  and   Punifliments,  as  fhould  be  inflided  by      ^^'o^'- 
*'  the  refpedtive  Prefidents  and  Councils  of  the  feveral  Co-'"'- — r~—^ 
*'   lonies. 

"That  as  the  faid  Colonies  ftiould,  from  time  to 
"  time,  encreafe  in  Plantation,  the  King,  his  Heirs,  and 
"  Succeflbrs,  fhould  ordain  and  give  fuch  Order,  and  fur- 
*'  ther  Inftru6lions,  Laws,  Conftitutions,  and  Ordinances, 
*'  as  bv  them  fhould  be  thought  fit  and  convenient :  Pro- 
*'  vided  always,  that  they  be  fuch  as  might  ftand  with,  and 
*'  be  confonant  to  the  Laws  of  England^  or  the  Equity 
"  thereof. 

"  And  lafHy,  that  his  Majefly's  Council  in  England 
*'  for  Virginia^  fhould  take  fuch  Oath,  as  fhould  be  limit- 
*'  ed  and  appointed  by  the  Privy  Council ;  and  each  Coun- 
*'  fellor,  refident  in  the  Colonies,  fhould  take  fuch  Oath, 
*'  as  fhould  be  prefcribed  by  the  King's  Council  in  England 
"  for  Virginia :  And  that  thefe,  as  well  as  all  future  Or- 
"  ders  and  Inflrudtions  of  the  King,  his  Heirs,  or  Succef- 
"  fors,  fhould  be  tranfmitted  over  to  the  feveral  Councils, 
*'  refident  in  the  faid  Colonies,  under  the  legal  Seal  of  the 
*'   King's  Council  in  England  for  Virginia.'''' 

These  Articles  contain  feveral  Things  of  an  extraor- 
dinary Nature  ;  which  Sir  fobn  Randolph.^  in  the  Sketch, 
he  has  left  of  the  Beginning  of  his  Hiflory  of  Virginia.^  pro- 
mifed  afterwards  to  animadvert  upon.  I  am  no  Lawyer, 
and  therefore  fhall  not  prefume  to  enter  deeply  into  the 
Matter.  I  fhall  only  tranfiently  remark,  that,  notwith- 
flanding  the  frequent  Repetition  of  the  Laws  of  England^ 
and  the  Equity  thereof,  his  Majefty  feems,  in  fome  things, 
to  have  deviated  groily  from  them.  He  has  certainly  made 
fufHcient  Provifion  for  his  own  defpotic  Authority ;  and 
has  attributed  an  extravagant  and  illegal  Power  to  the  Pre- 
fidents  and  Councils.  For  he  has  placed  the  whole  Legif- 
lative  Power  folely  in  them,  without  any  Reprefentative  of 
the  People,  contrary  to  a  noted  Maxim  of  the  Englijh 
Conftitution  ;  That  all  Freemen  are  to  be  governed  by  Laws, 
made  with  their  own  Confent,  either  in  Perfon,  or  by  their 
Reprefentatives.  He  has  alfo  appointed  Juries  only  in  Cafes 
of  Life  and  Death  ;  and  has  left  all  other  Points,  relating 
to  the  Liberty  and  private  Property  of  the  Subje6l,  wholly 
to  the  Pleafure  and  Determination  of  the  Prefidents  and 
Councils.  He  has  indeed,  agreeably  to  the  Dilates  of  his 
own  Nature,  been  exprefs  enough  with  Refpedt  to  Rebel- 
lion, Confpiracy,  and  other  Offences  immediately  againfl 
the  Magiflrate  ;  but  then  he  has  been  very  fparing  in  all 
other  criminal  Matters.  For  altho'  he  has  made  Adultery 
punifhable  with   Death,  contrary  to  the  Laws  of  England., 

and 


The    History    fif  VIRGINIA.       Book  IL 

and  contrary  to  a  greater,  the  Law  of  the  Gofpe],  in  the 
noted  Determination  of  our  B.  Saviour,  concerning  the 
Woman  taken  in  Adulterv  ;  vet  he  has  pafled  over  all  the 
feveral  Species  of  Robberv,  Burglarv,  and  Felony,  with 
other  Crimes,  capital  by  the  Laws  of  England^  and  decla- 
red, that  none,  but  thofe  there  fpecified,  fliould  be  fubjeft 
to  the  Punifhment  of  Death. 

However,  furniflied  with  thefe  Powers  and  Autho- 
rities, the  Firft  or  Southern  Colonv,  which  ftill  retains  the 
Name  of  Virginia^  was  undertaken  and  begun  by  feveral 
Nobleman,  Knights,  Gentlemen,  Merchants  and  Citizens, 
in  and  about  London ;  and  they  chofe  Sir  Thomas  Smithy 
a  verv  eminent  and  wealthy  Merchant  of  London^  their 
Treafurer,  to  have  the  chief  Management  of  their  Affairs, 
and  to  fummon  and  prefide  in  all  Meetings  of  the  Council 
and  Company  in  England.  He  had  been  the  chief  of  Sir 
Walter  Ralegh^  Affignees,  and  was  either  now,  or  foon 
after.  Governor  of  the  Ea/i-India  Company  ;  and  had  alfo 
been  fent,  two  Years  before,  his  Majefty's  Embaflador  to 
the  Emperor  of  Rujjia.  And  next,  having  provided  two 
Ships  and  a  fmall  Bark,  thev  committed  the  Tranfporta- 
tion  of  the  Colony  to  Captain  Chrijiopher  Newport^  who 
was  eflreemed  a  Mariner  of  Ability  and  Experience  on  the 
American  Coafts.  For  he  had  fourteen  Years  before.  Anno 
1592,  with  much  Reputation  and  Honour,  condu6led  an 
Expedition  againft  the  Spaniards  in  the  IVeJi-Indies  ;  where, 
with  three  Ships  and  a  fmall  Bark,  he  took  feveral  Prizes, 
plundered  and  burnt  fome  Towns,  and  got  a  confiderable 
Booty. 

To  him  therefore,  by  an  Inftrument,  bearing  Date  the 
loth  of  December  1606,  under  the  legal  Seal  of  the  Coun- 
cil, they  gave  Power  to  appoint  all  Captains,  Soldiers,  and 
Mariners,  and  to  have  the  fole  Charge  and  Command  of 
the  fame,  and  of  the  whole  Voyage,  from  the  Date  there- 
of, till  they  fhould  land  on  the  Coaft  of  Virginia  ;  and  in 
Cafe  of  his  Death,  the  feveral  Captains  of  the  Ships  and 
Bark  were  ordered  and  impowered,  to  proceed  and  carry 
them  to  the  Coaft  of  Virginia  aforefaid.  To  Captain  New- 
port^ Capt.  Bartholomew  Gojnold^  and  Captain  John  Rat- 
cliffe^  they  alfo  delivered  feveral  Inftruments,  clofe  fealed 
with  the  Councils  Seal,  which  they,  the  Survivors,  or  Sur- 
vivor of  them,  fliould,  within  twenty  four  Hours  after 
their  Arrival  on  the  Coaft  of  Virginia^  and  not  before,  open 
and  unfeal,  and  publifh  the  Names  of  the  Perfons,  therein 
fet  down,  who  fliould  be  declared  and  taken  to  be  his  Ma- 
jefty's Council  for  that  Colony :  That  the  faid  Council 
Ihould  immediately  proceed  to  the  Choice  and  Nomination 

of 


Book  IL     rhc   History    of  VIRGINIA, 

of  a  Prefident,  who  fhould  have  two  Votes  in  all  Matters 
of  Controveify  and  Queftion,  where  the  Voices  happened  ' 
to  be  equal  ;  and  fhould  have  full  Power  and  Authority, 
with  the  Advice  of  the  reft  of  the  Council,  or  the  greater 
Part  of  them,  to  govern,  rule,  and  command,  all  the 
Captains  and  Soldiers,  with  all  other  Perfons  whatfoever  of 
the  faid  Colony :  And  that  the  Prefident,  immediately 
upon  his  Election,  ftiouid,  in  the  Prefence  of  the  Council, 
and  of  twenty  others  of  the  principal  Adventurers  in  the 
Voyage,  to  be  by  the  Prefident  and  Council  called  thereto, 
take  his  Oath,  according  to  a  Form  prefcribed,  to  bear  true 
Allegiance  to  the  King,  and  for  the  Performance  of  his 
Duty  in  the  Place  and  Office  of  Prefident;  after  which  he 
(hould  adminifter  the  like  Oath  to  each  of  the  Council  par- 
ticularly. And  finally.  Captain  Newport  was  commanded, 
with  fuch  a  Number  of  Men,  as  fhould  be  afligned  him  by 
the  Prefident  and  Council,  to  beftow  two  Months  in  the 
Search  and  Difcoverv  of  the  Rivers  and  Ports  of  the  Coun- 
try, and  to  give  prefent  Order  for  the  lading  the  two  Ships 
(the  Bark  being  defigned  to  remain  in  the  Country)  with 
fuch  principal  Commodities  and  Merchandife,  as  could  there 
be  had  and  found,  and  to  return  with  the  faid  Ships,  full 
laden,  bringing  a  particular  Account  of  every  thing,  by 
the  laft  of  May  following,  if  God  permit. 

To  these  Orders  the  Council  added  other  Inftru^lions, 
by  way  of  Advice,  concerning  their  ftri<3:  Obfervation  of 
the  above-mentioned  Ordinances  by  the  King's  Majefty, 
delivered  to  them  under  the  Privy  Seal ;  concerning  the 
Choice  of  a  Place,  and  the  Manner  of  feating  themfelves  ; 
the  neceffary  Orders  and  Methods  of  Difcovery  ;  their 
Caution  before,  and  Behaviour  towards,  the  Natives;  with 
various  other  Counfels  and  Directions  for  the  better  con- 
ducting themfelves  and  the  Enterprife.  And  as  the  Council 
in  E?igland-wevt  ever  follicitous  and  intent  on  the  Difcovery 
of  the  South-Sea^  as  the  certain  and  infallible  Way  to  im- 
menfe  Riches,  they  were  commanded,  if  they  happened  to 
difcover  divers  navigable  Rivers,  and  among  them  any,  that 
had  two  main  Branches,  if  the  Difference  was  not  great, 
to  make  Choice  of  that,  which  tended  moft  towards  the 
North-lVeJi ;  fince  the  other  Sea,  as  they  judged,  would 
be  fooneft  found  that  Way,  And  they  were  to  difcover,  if 
they  could,  whether  the  River,  on  which  they  feated,  fprung 
out  of  the  Mountains  or  out  of  Lakes.  For  if  it  rofe  from 
any  Lake,  it  was  likely,  that  the  Paffage  to  the  other  Sea 
would  be  the  more  eafy,  and  that  out  of  the  fame  Lake 
they  might  find  fome  other  Stream,  running  the  contrary 
Way,   towards   the   Eaji-India^    or    South-Sea.       And    they 

con- 


rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

concluded  laftly  and  chiefly,  that  the  Way  to  profper  and 
obtain  Succefs  was  to  make  themfelves  all  of  one  Mind,  for 
their  own  and  their  Countr)^'s  Good,  and  to  ferve  and  fear 
God,  the  Giver  of  all  Goodnefs,  fince  every  Plantation, 
which  he  did  not  plant,  would  certainly  be  rooted  out. 

All  thefe  Orders  and  Inftrudtions  being  put  into  a 
Box,  they  fet  Sail  from  Blackwall  the  19th  of  Decemler 
1606;  but  were  kept  fix  Weeks  on  the  Coaft  o{  England 
by  contrary  Winds.  Even  then  they  negle<5led  the  Coun- 
cil's laft  falutarv  Advice,  concerning  Unity  and  Concord 
among  themfelves.  For  they  began  to  fall  into  fuch  Fac- 
tions and  Difcords,  as  would  have  ruined  the  whole  Voyage, 
had  not  Mr.  Hunt^  their  Preacher,  by  his  prudent  Con- 
dud  and  pious  Exhortations,  allayed  their  Fury  and  Dif- 
fenfion.  That  good  Man,  altho'  he  was  fo  fick  and  weak 
the  whole  Time,  that  few  expeded  his  Recovery,  and  had 
the  additional  Aggravation  of  being  the  principal  Objed  of 
their  Malice  and  Reproach,  yet  bore  all  with  the  utmoft 
Meeknefs  and  Patience.  And  he  never  betrayed  the  leaft 
feemine;  Defire  to  leave  the  Bufinefs,  altho'  his  Habitation 
was  but  twenty  Miles  from  the  Downs^  but  preferred  the 
Service  of  God  and  his  Country,  in  fo  good  a  Voyage,  be- 
fore all  other  private  Refpeds  or  Confiderations  whatfo- 
ever. 
1607.  As  foon  as  they  got  clear  of  the  Coaft  ai  England^  they 

took  the  old  Rout  by  the  Canaries^  where  they  watered. 
Here  their  Quarrels  and  Diflenfions  grew  fo  high,  that 
Captain  8mith  was  feized  and  committed  clofe  Prifoner.  It 
was  fuggefted  by  Mr.  Wingfield  and  fome  others  of  the  chief 
among  them,  who  envied  his  Repute  and  Intereft  with  the 
Company,  that  he  intended  to  murder  the  Council,  ufurp 
the  Government,  and  make  himfelf  King  of  Virginia  \  and 
this,  they  pretended,  would  be  attefted  and  proved  againft 
him  by  feveral  of  his  Confederates,  who  were  difperfed  in 
all  the  three  Ships.  Upon  thefe  fcandalous  Suggeftions,  he 
was  fufpeded,  and  kept  in  clofe  Confinement  thirteen 
Weeks.  From  the  Canaries  they  went  to  the  IVeJl-Indies  ; 
where  having  traded  with  the  Natives,  and  ftaid  three 
Weeks  to  refrefh  themfelves,  they  fteered  away  NortJnuard^ 
in  Search  of  Virginia.  The  Mariners  had  paffed  their 
Reckoning  three  Days,  and  yet  found  no  Land  ;  which  fo 
diflieartened  the  Company,  that  Captain  Ratcliffe^  Com- 
mander of  the  Bark,  was  urgent  to  bare  up  the  Helm,  and 
return  for  England.  But  a  \  iolent  Storm,  obliging  them 
to  hull  it  all  Night  under  their  bare  Poles,  drove  them  pro- 
videntially, beyond  all  their  Expedlations,  to  their  defired 
Port.     For  the  next  Day,  being   the   26th   of  April  1607, 

they 


Book  II.       "The   History   ?/ VIRGINIA.  45 

they   made  a   Coaft,  which    none  of  them    had    ever   feen.       1607. 

The   firft  Land,  they   defcried,   they   called    Cape-Henry^  in  ^-^^< 

Honour  to  the  Prince  of  Wales ;  as  the  Northern  Cape 
was  named  Cape-Charles^  after  the  Duke  of  7'ork^  K-ing 
James's,  fecond  Son  at  that  time,  and  afterwards  King 
Charles  I.  of  England.  Thirty  Men  went  afhore  on  Cape- 
Henry^  to  recreate  and  refrefh  themfelves  ;  but  they  were 
fuddenly  affaulted  by  five  Savages,  who  wounded  two  of 
them  very  dangeroufly. 

Within  thefe  Capes  they  found  a  Country,  which, 
according  to  their  own  Defcription,  might  claim  the  Pre- 
rogative over  the  moft  pleafant  Places  in  the  known  World, 
for  large  and  majeftic  navigable  Rivers,  for  beautiful 
Mountains,  Hills,  Plains,  Vallies,  Rivulets,  and  Brooks, 
gurgling  down,  and  running  moft  pleafantly  into  a  fair  Bay, 
encompafled  on  all  Sides,  except  at  the  Mouth,  with  fruit- 
ful and  delightfome  Land.  In  the  Bay  and  Rivers  were 
many  Iflands,  both  great  and  fmall,  fome  woody,  others 
plain,  but  moft  of  them  low  and  uninhabited.  So  that 
Heaven  and  Earth  feemed  never  to  have  agreed  better,  to 
frame  a  Place  for  Man's  commodious  and  delightful  Habi- 
tation, were  it  fully  cultivated  and  inhabited  by  induftrious 
People. 

The  Night  of  their  Arrival,  the  Box  was  opened,  and 
the  Orders  for  Government  read.  In  them  Edward-Maria 
JVingfield^  Bartholomew  Gofnold^  John  Smithy  Chrijlopher 
Newport.,  John  Ratclijfe.,  John  Martin.,  and  George  Ken- 
dall^ were  appointed  of  the  Council.  They  were  employ- 
ed, till  the  13th  of  May.,  in  feeking  a  Place  for  their  Set- 
tlement •,  and  then  they  refolved  on  a  Peninfula.,  on  the 
North  Side  of  the  River  Powhatan.,  about  forty  Miles  from 
the  Mouth.  After  which,  Mr.  Wingfield  was  chofen  ^x&- Edivard- 
fident,  the  Council  fworn,  and  an  Oration  made,  why  Maria 
Captain  Smith  was  not  admitted  of  the  Council,  as  the  pref^ent. 
reft.  But  befides  thefe  Gentlemen  and  Mr.  Hunt.,  their 
Chaplain,  there  came  over  another  Perfon  of  very  great 
Diftinition  and  Quality.  This  was  the  Honourable  Mr. 
George  Percy.,  of  the  ancient  Family  of  the  Percies.,  fo  re- 
nowned in  Story,  and  Brother  to  the  Earl  of  Northumber- 
land. Neither  did  his  A6lions  here  difgrace  the  Nobility  of 
his  Birth.  For  he  juftly  obtained  the  Reputation  of  being 
a  Gentleman  of  great  Honour,  Courage,  and  Induftry. 
He  feems  to  have  come  merely  a  Volunteer  upon  the  Ex- 
pedition, and  bore  no  Poft  or  Office  of  Government  ; 
which  might  perhaps  have  proceeded  from  the  Cloud,  un- 
der which  his  Brother,  the  Earl  of  Northumberland.,  then 
lay.      For  on  fome  diftant  Surmifes,  and  upon   Account  of 

Mr. 


46  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1637.     Mr.  Perc)\  his  Kinfman,  who  was  concerned  in  that  Trea- 

' V 'fon,   the   Earl    was   fufpeiled   to   have    been    privv   to   the 

Ed-ward-  Gun-powder  Plot ;  and  was  therefore  thrown  into  the 
Win'^Md  Tower,  where  he  lay  above  twelve  Years,  was  fined  thirty 
Prcfident.  thoufand  Pounds  Sterling  in  the  Star-Ch amber ^  and  under- 
went much  hard  Ufage.  And  befides  Mr.  Percy^  there 
were  Anthony  Gofnold^  Captain  Gabriel  Archer^  Nathaniel 
Poivel^  Kellam  Throgmorton^  William  Smithes^  Richard 
Frith^  and  divers  others  of  Note  in  this  firft  Plantation. 
And  Mr.  Thomas  Studley  was  elected  the  firft  Cape-Mer- 
chant, or  Treafurer,  of  the  Colony. 

Having  pitched  upon  a  Place  to  fettle,  they  called  it 
fames-Town^  in  Honour  of  his  A'lajefty  then  reigning,  and 
every  Man  fell  to  work.  The  Council  contrive  the  Fort  ; 
and  of  the  reft,  fome  cut  down  and  clear  away  the  Trees, 
to  make  a  Place  to  pitch  their  Tents  ;  fome  get  Clapboard, 
^  to  relade  the  Ships  ;  whilft  others  were  employed  in  making 
Gardens  and  Nets,  and  providing  other  Neceflaries  and 
Conveniences.  The  Indians  often  vifited  them  kindly, 
which  was  a  great  Satisfaction  to  them.  For  the  Prefident's 
Jcaloufv  would  admit  of  no  Exercife  at  Arms,  nor  any 
other  Fortification,  but  the  Boughs  of  Trees  caft  together 
in  the  Form  of  a  half  Moon,  by  the  extraordinary  Pains 
and  Diligence  of  Captain  Kendall.  And  foon  after  New- 
port and  Smith.,  with  twenty  others,  were  fent  to  difcover 
the  Head  of  the  River  Powhatan.,  which,  from  King  James., 
was  afterwards  called  James  River.  They  pafi'ed  by  divers 
fmall  Habitations ;  and  in  fix  Days  arrived  at  a  Town, 
called  Powhatan.,  confifting  of  about  twelve  Houfes,  plea- 
fantly  feated  on  a  Hill,  on  the  North  Side  of  the  River, 
with  three  fertile  Ifles  before  it.  This  Place  I  judge  to  be 
either  iMrs,  A/^r^'s,  or  elfe  May-ring's,  Plantation  ;  and  it 
was  the  principal  Seat,  by  Inheritance,  of  Poiuhatan.,  Em- 
peror of  the  Country.  To  this  Place  they  found  the  River 
navigable  ;  but  within  a  Mile  higher,  by  reafon  of  the 
Rocks  and  Ifles,  there  was  no  Paflage  for  a  fmall  Boat ;  and 
this  they  called  the  Falls.  They  were  kindly  treated  by 
the  People  in  all  Parts  ;  but  being  returned  to  Ja?nes-Toivn., 
thev  found  feventeen  Men  hurt,  and  a  Boy  flain,  by  the 
Indians ;  and  had  not  a  Crofs-bar  Shot  from  the  Ships  hap- 
pened to  Ihike  a  Bough  from  a  Tree  among  them,  which 
frighted,  and  made  them  retire,  the  Englijh  had  been  all 
cut  off,  being  fecurely  at  Work,  and  their  Arms  in  dry 
Fats.  After  this  the  Prefident  permitted  the  Fort  to  be  pa- 
liladoed,  the  Ordinance  to  be  mounted,  and  the  Men  to 
be  armed  and  exerciied.  For  many  and  fudden  were  the 
Afl'aults  and  Ambufcades  of  the  Indians  \  and  the  Englijh., 

by 


Book  II.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  47 

by  their  diforderly  ftraggling  were  often   hurt,  whilft  they,      1607. 
by  the  Nimblenefs  of  their  Heels,  efcaped.  ~ ■% " 

Altho'  Captain  Newport  was  named  of  the  Council, -^'''^''.'^'■'^- 
yet  was  he  only  hired  for  their  Tranfportation,  and  was  to  lyl^'^c^ld 
return  with  the  Ships.  The  time  of  his  Departure  ap-  Prefident. 
proaching.  Captain  Smiths  Enemies  pretended,  out  of 
Tendernefs  and  Compaffion  to  him,  to  refer  him  to  the 
Council  in  England^  to  receive  a  Reprimand,  rather  than 
by  pufhing  on  their  Accufation,  to  endanger  his  Life,  or 
utterly  deftroy  his  Reputation.  But  he,  being  a  Man  of  - 
high  Spirit,  and  confcious  of  his  Innocency,  fcorned  their 
Charity,  and  defied  their  Malice  ;  and  behaved  himfelf  in 
the  whole  Affair  with  fuch  Clearnefs  and  Prudence,  that 
all  the  Company  perceived  his  Integrity,  and  their  Envy  and 
Injuftice.  Infifting  therefore  upon  his  Trial,  the  Perfons, 
fuborned  to  accufe  him,  accufed  their  Suborners  \  and  al- 
tho' many  Falfhoods  were  alledged  againff  him,  yet  were 
they  all  fo  plainly  difproved,  that  it  raifed  a  general  Refent- 
ment  in  the  Hearts  of  the  Audience  againfl:  fuch  unjuft 
Commanders,  and  the  Prefident  was  condemned  to  pay 
him  two  hundred  Pounds,  in  Reparation  of  the  Injury. 
In  Confequence  hereof,  all  the  Prefident's  Effe6ls  were 
feized  in  Part  of  Satisfaction  ;  but  Smith  generoufly  pre- 
fented  them  to  the  publick  Store  for  the  Ufe  of  the  Colony. 
Soon  after  their  Heats  and  Animofities  were  appeafed  by 
the  good  Doctrine  and  Exhortations  of  Mr.  Hunt^  who 
procured  Captain  Smith  to  be  admitted  of  the  Council ;  and 
the  next  Day,  they  all  received  the  Communion,  in  Con- 
firmation of  their  Peace  and  Concord.  The  Day  after, 
being  the  15th  of  June^  the  Indians  voluntarily  fued  for 
Peace,  and  Captain  Newport  fet  Sail  for  England^  leaving 
an  hundred  Perfons  behind  him  in  Virginia. 

The  Colony,  being  now  left  to  their  Fortunes,  fell  into 
fuch  a  violent  Sicknefs,  that  within  ten  Days  fcarce  ten  a- 
mong  them  could  either  go  or  ftand.  This  was  chiefly  -^^ 
owing  to  the  Difference  of  their  Diet.  For  whilft  the 
Ships  Itaid,  either  by  Way  of  Traffic,  or  for  Money,  or 
Love,  they  got  a  daily  Proportion  of  Bifcuit  and  other  Pro- 
vifions  from  the  Sailers,  who  always  abounded  even  to 
Luxury  and  Profufion.  But  now  they  were  all  reduced  to 
the  common  Kettle ;  which  contained  the  Allowance  of 
half  a  Pint  of  Wheat,  and  as  much  Barley,  boiled  with 
Water,  for  a  Man  a  Day.  And  this,  having  funked  for 
fix  and  twenty  Weeks  in  the  Ship's  Hold,  contained  no- 
thing fubftantial,  being  only  Bran,  with  as  many  Worms 
as  Grains.  The  Council  in  England^  but  efpecially  Sir 
Thomas   Smith.,  their  Treafurer,   were  juftly   charged   with 

much 


48  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1607.     much    Cruelty   and    Inhumanity    for   thefe    fcanty   and    ill- 

*— — V 'conditioned  Provifions  i  which   Management  however  con- 

Edivard-  tinued,  more  or  lefs,  the  whole  time  of  that  Gentleman's 
Wiwfidd  Adminiftration  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Company  and  Colony. 
Prefident.  This  unwholefome  Food,  together  with  their  continual 
Toil  and  Labour  in  the  Extremity  of  the  Heat,  carried  off 
fifty  of  the  Company  by  September  ;  in  which  Number  was 
Captain  Gofnold^  the  firft  Mover  and  Projector  of  the  whole 
Bufinefs.  The  reft,  that  furvived  by  the  Care  of  Captain 
Smithy  and  the  Skill  and  Diligence  of  Air.  Thomas  Wotton^ 
their  Surgeon-General,  fubfifted  on  Crabs  and  Sturgeon, 
till  Septerubcr. 

But  the  Prefident,  all  this  while,  had  felt  neither  Want 
nor  Sicknefs.      For  he  had  embezzled  the  public  Oatmeal, 
Sack,  Aqua-vitce^   Beef,  and   Eggs,   and   had  lived   in  great 
\^  Plenty    and    Elegance.      Soon    after,    having    proje£ted    an 

Efcape  to  England  in  the  Bark,  it  raifed  fuch  Indignation 
in  the  reft,  that  they  depofed  him,  and  ele6led  Captain 
John  Rat-  'John  RatcUff'e  in  his  Room.)  Kendall  was  likewife  at  the 
cUffc  Prefi-  f^nie  time  difgraced,  and  removed  from  the  Council,  for 
being  concerned  in  thefe  male  Practices  of  the  Prefident. 
And  now,  when  all  their  Provifions  were  fpent,  the  Stur- 
geon gone,  and  no  Profpedl  of  Relief  from  any  Quarter 
left,  God  wrought  fo  wonderful  a  Change  in  the  Hearts  of 
the  Indians^  that  they  brought  fuch  Plenty  of  their  Fruits 
and  Provifions,  as  no  Man  wanted. 

Newport  was  gone,  Gojmld  dead,  and  Wingfield  and 
Kendall  in  Difgrace ;  neither  were  their  Places  fupplied  by 
the  Eledlion  of  any  others,  according  to  the  Authority 
given.  So  that  the  whole  Government  and  Power  of  the 
Council  now  refted  in  the  new  Prefident,  Martin^  and 
Smith.  But  the  Prefident  and  Martin.,  being  little  efteemed 
or  beloved,  of  weak  Judgment  in  Dangers,  and  lefs  In- 
duftry  in  Peace,  at  firft  very  candidly  and  wifely  permitted 
every  thing  to  Smith's  Management,  who  was  peculiarly 
fitted  for  condu6ling  fuch  an  Enterprife,  by  a  good  Judg- 
ment, undaunted  Courage,  and  an  invincible  Induftry  and 
Refolution.  He  immediately  fet  about  the  building  of 
'James-Totun  ;  and  by  good  Words,  fair  Promifes,  and  his 
own  Example  (himfelf  always  bearing  the  greateft  Share 
of  the  Labour  and  Fatigue)  he  puftied  on  the  Work  with 
fuch  Vigor  and  Diligence,  that  he  had,  in  a  ftiort  time, 
provided  moft  of  them  with  Lodgings,  negle£ling  any  for 
himfelf.  After  which,  finding  the  Autumn  Superfluity  of 
the  Savages  begin  to  decreafe,  he  refolved  to  fcarch  the 
Country  for  Trade.  The  Want  of  the  Language  and  a 
fufficient   Power,  with   Cloathing    for  his   Men  and   other 

Ne- 


Book  11.     T/:e   History    of  VIRGINIA.  49 

Neceffaries,  were  infinite  Impediments  to  this   Defign,  but      1607. 
no    Difcouragement    to    his    bold    and    adventurous    Spirit.  -^.^^ 
For  with  five  or  fix  more,  he  went  down  the  River,  in  2iJ-Ratcliffe 
Shallop,  to  Kicquotan;  where  at   firft  they  fcorned  them,  as^'^^"^^"^ 
poor  famifhed  Creatures,  and  would   offer,   in    Derifion,   a 
Handful  of  Corn,  or  a  Piece   of  Bread,  for  their  Swords, 
Mufkets,   or   Cloaths.       But    Smithy    finding,   that    nothing 
was  to  be  had  by  Trade  and  Courtefy,  ventured  to  exceed 
his   Commiflion,  and   entered  upon  fuch   Meafures,  as  Ne- 
ceflity  and  the  Exigency  of  his  Case  required.      And  there- 
fore, having  difcharged  his    Mufkets   among   them,  he   ran 
his   Boat   afhore ;    at  which   the   Indians   all   fled    into    the 
Woods.     Then    marching    up    to    their    Houfes,  they   faw 
great  Heaps  of  Corn.      But  Smith  with   much  ado  reftrained 
his  hungry  Soldiers  from  immediately  feizing  it ;   expedling, 
the  Savages  would  return  to  alTault  them,  as  it  foon  after 
happened.      For  fixty  or  feventy  of  them,  fome  painted  black, 
fome  red,  fome  white,  and  fome  partv-coloured,  iflued  out  of 
the  Woods,  finging  and  dancing,  and  making  a  moft  hide- 
ous Noife,  with  their  Okee  borne  before  them.     This  was 
an  Idol,  made   of  Skins,  fluffed  with    Mofs,  and  all  painted 
and    hung   with    Chains  and    Copper.      For   there   was   no 
Place  in  Firginia  found  fo  barbarous  and  void  of  Humani- 
ty, in   which   they    had   not  a   Religion,   Deer,   Bows,  and 
Arrows.      In  this  Savage  Manner,  being  armed  with  Clubs, 
Targets,    Bows,    and    Arrows,    they   charged  the    EngUfh^ 
who   received   them    fo   warmly   with    a    fecond   Volley  of 
Mufkets,  loaded  with  Piflol  Shot,  that  down  fell  their  God, 
and  feveral  of  them   lay  fprawling   on  the  Ground.      The 
reft  fled  again  into  the  Woods,  and  foon  after  fent  one  of 
their  Priefts,  to  redeem  their  God  and  offer  Peace.      Smith 
told   him,   if  only  fix  would  come  unarmed,  and  load  his 
Boat  with  Corn,  he  would  not  only  reftore  their  Okee^  but 
would  be  their  Friend,  and  give  them   Beads,  Copper,  and 
Hatchets  befides.      Which  was  agreed  to,  and  performed  to 
the   Satisfaction  of  both   Parties.      And  then  they  brought 
him   Venifon,    Turkies,    Wildfowl,    Bread,    and    whatever 
elfe   they   had,  finging  and  dancing   in  Sign   of  Friendfhip, 
till  he  departed.     And  in  his  Return  up  the  River,  he  dif^ 
covered  the  Town  and  Country  of  Warrafqueake. 

After  his  Return  to  James-Town^  he  made  feveral 
Journies  by  Land,  and  difcovered  the  People  of  Chickaho- 
miny.  In  one  of  thefe,  Wingfield  and  Kendall^  feeing 
all  things  at  random  in  Smiths  Abfence,  and  the  Com- 
pany's Scorn  of  the  Prefident's  Weaknefs  and  Martin's 
never-mending  Sicknefs,  took  Advantage  of  the  Occafion, 
and  combined  with  the  Sailers  and  others,  to  regain  their 
^  E  former 


Tie   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IL 

former  Authority,  or  at  leaft  to  feize  the  Bark,  which 
Smith  had  fitted  for  a  trading  Voyage,  and  in  her  to  efcape 
J.  Ratcliffe^^^  g^  f^j-  England.  But  Smithy  returning  unexpe6ledly, 
^' ^'"'  with  much  Difficulty  prevented  their  Defign.  For  he  was 
obliged  to  turn  the  Cannon  of  the  Fort  upon  them,  and  fo 
force  them  to  ftay  or  fink  in  the  River  ;  which  Action  coft 
the  Life  of  Captain  Kendall.  And  not  long  after,  their 
new  Prefident  Ratcliffe  and  Captain  Gabriel  Archer  intended 
to  abandon  the  Country  ;  but  their  Projedt  was  hkewife 
reftrained  and  fupprefiTed  by  Smith.  The  Spaniards  was  ne- 
ver more  greedy  of  Gold,  than  he  was  of  Provifions  ;  nei- 
ther did  the  reft  defire  more  eagerly  to  abandon  the  Coun- 
try, than  he  to  keep  it.  And  therefore,  having  found 
Plenty  of  Corn  up  the  River  Chickahominy^  he  went  a  tra- 
ding Voyage  thither,  and  was  received  by  hundreds  of  In- 
dians., who  flood  in  divers  Places  with  Bafkets,  expefting 
his  Coming.  And  now  the  Winter  Hkewife  coming  on, 
the  Rivers  were  fo  covered  with  Swans,  Geefe,  and  Ducks, 
that  they  daily  feafted  with  good  Bread,  Virginia  Peafe, 
Pumpions,  and  Paflimmons,  and  with  Fifh,  Fowl,  and  di- 
vers Sorts  of  wild  Bcafts,  as  fat  as  they  could  well  eat 
them.  So  that  none  of  their  humourfome  and  tuftafFety 
Sparks  (as  Smith  calls  them)  were  any  longer  difcontented, 
or  defirous  to  go  to  England. 

But  Captain  Smitl/s  Activity  and  Induftry,  in  difco- 
vering  the  Country,  and  providing  for  the  Colony,  could 
not  fcreen  him  from  the  vain  f^xceptions  and  Murmurs  of 
many  Idlers  at  ^ames-Town.  He  was  cenfured  by  fome, 
and  even  taxed  by  the  Council,  of  being  too  remifs  and 
negligent  in  difcovering  the  Head  of  Chickahominy  River. 
And  therefore  foon  after,  with  much  Labour  in  cutting 
away  Trees  and  clearing  a  Paflage,  he  went  up  as  far,  as 
his  Barge  could  pafs.  And  then  leaving  her  in  a  broad 
Bay,  beyond  the  Reach  of  the  Indians  Shot,  he  himfelf, 
with  two  Englijh  more,  and  two  Indians.,  proceeded  higher 
up  in  a  Canoe.  When  he  left  the  Barge,  he  ordered,  that 
none  fhould  go  aftiore,  till  his  Return.  But  he  was  not 
long  gone,  before  his  diforderly  and  ungovernable  Crew 
difobeyed  this  Command,  and  thereby  gave  the  Indians  an 
Opportunity  of  furprifing  one  George  Cajfen  ;  and  indeed 
narrowly  efcaped  being  all  cut  off  to  a  Man.  For  Ope- 
chancanough.,  Brother  to  Powhatan.,  and  King  of  Painunkey., 
a  fubtle  and  favage  Barbarian,  was  there  with  three  hundred 
Bowmen.  And  after  having  extorted  from  Cajfen.,  which 
Way  his  Captain  was  gone,  he  put  him  to  Death  in  a  moft 
cruel  and  barbarous  Manner,  and  then  went  in  Purfuit  of 
Smith. 

Captain 


Book  II.     rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Captain  Smith  had  got  up  twenty  Miles  higher,  a- 
mong  the  Swamps  and  Marfhes  at  the  Head  of  the  River  ; 
and  leaving  the  Canoe  to  the  Care  of  Robinfon  and  Emry^J-  ^""^^iff' 
his  two  Men,  he  himfelf  was  gone  to  kill  fome  Proviftons. 
Opechancanougb  firft  happened  on  the  two  Men,  afleep,  as 
it  was  fuppofed,  by  the  Fire  ;  and  {hooting  them  full  of  Ar- 
rows, flew  them.  And  then  they  traced  the  Captain  ;  who, 
finding  himfelf  befet,  bound  an  Indian^  whom  he  had  for 
his  Guide,  to  his  Arm  for  a  Buckler,  and  received  their 
Attack  fo  fmartiy  with  his  Fire-Arms,  that  he  foon  laid 
three  dead  upon  the  Spot,  and  fo  wounded  and  galled  divers 
others,  that  none  of  them  cared  to  approach  him.  He 
himfelf  received  a  flight  Wound  in  the  Thigh,  and  had 
many  Arrows  fticking  in  his  Cloaths,  but  without  any  great 
Hurt.  Having  the  Indians  thus  at  bay,  he  endeavoured  to 
Iheer  off  to^  his  Canoe  ;  but  regarding  them,  as  he  went, 
more  than  his  Way,  he  fuddenly  flipped  up  to  his  Middle 
into  an  oozy  Creek.  Altho'  he  vi^s  thus  hampered,  yet  none 
of  them  durft  come  near  him,  till,  being  almoft  dead  with 
Cold,  he  threw  away  his  Arms  and  furrendered.  Then 
drawing  him  out,  they  carried  him  to  the  Fire,  where  his 
Men  were  flain,  and  carefully  chafed  his  benumbed  Limbs. 
For  this  Winter,  1607,  was  extremely  cold  in  Firginia^ 
as  it  was  likewife  remarkable  for  an  extraordinary  Froft  in 
Europe. 

When  Smith  was  a  little  recovered,  he  alked  for  their 
Captain,  and  being  fhewed  Opechancanougb^  he  prefented 
him  with  a  round  Ivory  double  compafs  Dial.  They  won- 
dered greatly  at  the  playing  of  the  Fly  and  Needle,  which 
they  could  fee  fo  plainly,  and  yet  not  touch,  becaufe  of  the 
Glafs,  that  covered  them.  But  when  he  explained  by  it 
the  Roundnefs  of  the  Earth,  the  Skies,  the  Sphere  of  the 
Sun,  Moon,  and  Stars,  with  other  furprifing  and  unheard 
of  DotStrines  to  them,  they  all  ftood  amazed.  Yet  within 
an  Hour  after,  they  tied  him  to  a  Tree,  and  drew  up  in 
Order  to  {hoot  him.  But  the  King  holding  up  the  Com- 
pafs in  his  Hand,  they  all  laid  down  their  Arms  at  once. 
And  then,  with  much  Triumph,  and  in  martial  Order, 
they  conducted  him  to  Orapakes^  which  was  a  hunting 
Town  and  Seat,  lying  on  the  upper  Part  of  Chickahominy 
Swamp,  on  the  North  Side,  belonging  to,  and  much  fre- 
quented by  Powhatan  and  the  Imperial  Family,  on  Account 
of  the  Abundance  of  Game,  it  afforded.  In  their  March, 
they  drew  themfelves  all  up  in  File  ;  and  Opechancanough^  be- 
ing in  the  Midfl,  had  the  Englijh  Swords  and  Mufkets 
carried  before  him.  Captain  Smith  came  next,  led  by  three 
great  Savages,  holding  him  faff  by  each  Arm  ;  and  on  either 

E   2  Side 


52  The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.       Book  11, 

1607.  Side  went  fix  in  File,  with  their  Arrows  notched.  When 
"^■^ — ■,' — ^they  arrived  at  the  Town,  the  Women  and  Children  ftood 
J.  Ratclifft  {taring  at  a  human  Creature,  fo  unlike  whatever  they  had 
''  ^^^^'  before  feen ;  and  the  Soldiers,  that  had  taken  him,  per- 
formed their  military  Excrcife,  throwing  themfelves  with 
great  Dexterity  into  their  War-Dance,  with  ftrange  Dif- 
tortions  and  antic  Poftures,  fmging  and  yelling  out  fright- 
ful and  inharmonious  Notes  and  Screeches.  But  they  treated 
Smith  here  very  kindly,  and  feafted  him  with  that  Forma- 
lity and  Abundance,  that  he  fufpected,  they  intended  to 
fatten  and  to  eat  him.  In  the  midft  of  thefe  melancholy 
Thoughts  and  Surmifes,  one  of  them,  in  Return  for  fome 
Beads  and  Toys,  which  Smith  had  given  him  at  his  firft 
Arrival,  brought  him  his  Gown  ;  which  was  of  fmgular 
Service  to  him,  and  a  very  feafonable  Defence  againft  the 
exceflive  Coldnefs  of  the  Seafon. 

But  whilft  his  Mind  was  thus  taken  up  with  imaginary 
Deaths,  he  had  like  to  have  met  a  real  one.  For  a  Man 
came  violently  upon  him,  and  would  have  flain  him  for 
the  Death  of  his  Son,  had  he  not  been  prevented  by  his 
Guard.  Whether  this  was  one  of  thofe,  that  were  wound- 
ed, when  Smith  was  taken  Prifoner,  or  whether  he  was 
dying  a  natural  Death,  which  they,  through  Ignorance 
and  Superftition,  attributed  to  fome  Sorcery  in  Smithy  is 
not  eafy  to  be  determined.  However,  they  carried  him 
to  recover  the  poor  Man,  breathing  out  his  laft.  Smith 
told  them,  he  had  a  Water  at  'James-Toxvn^  that  would  do 
it,  if  they  would  let  him  fetch  it.  But  they  had  more  Senfe 
than  to  permit  that,  or  to  truft  him  out  of  their  Hands. 

They  were  now  making  the  greateft  Preparations  they 
could,  to  afl'ault  'Janies-Toivn.  To  this  End  they  defired 
Sffiith's  Advice  and  Afliftance  ;  and,  as  a  Reward,  promifed 
him  Life,  Liberty,  Land,  and  Women.  But  he  reprefent- 
ed  to  them  the  extreme  Danger  and  Difficulty  of  the  At- 
tempt ;  and  defcribed  the  Springing  of  Mines,  great  Guns, 
and  other  warlike  Engines,  in  fuch  a  Manner,  as  exceed- 
ingly frighted  and  amazed  them.  And  then  he  perfuaded 
fome  of  them  to  go  to  ^ames-Toiun^  under  Pretence  of 
fetching  fome  Toys  ;  and  in  Part  of  a  Table-Book,  he  in- 
formed them  at  the  Fort,  what  was  intended,  and  directed 
them,  how  to  behave  and  affright  the  Meffengers,  and  with- 
out fail,  to  fend  him  fuch  Things,  as  he  wrote  for.  Within 
three  Days,  the  Meffengers  returned,  through  as  bitter 
Weather  as  could  be,  for  Froft  and  Snow  \  and  were  great- 
ly aftonifhed  themfelves,  as  well  as  all  that  heard  it,  how 
Smith  could  divine,  or  the  Paper  fpeak.  For  all  things 
were  delivered  them,  and  had  happened  at  James-Toiun^  ac- 
cording as  he  foretold.  All 


Book  II.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

All  Thoughts  of  an  Attack  upon  'James-Town  being 
therefore  laid  afide,  they  led  Smith  in  Show  and  Triumph 
about  the  Country.  And  firft  they  carried  him  to  thofe,  J.  Ratdiffe 
that  dwelt  on  Toughtanund^  or  as  it  is  now  called,  Pamun-  President. 
key  River.  For  the  main  River,  which  is  fince  named  York 
River,  was  then  called  Pamunkey  \  altho'  the  Country  of 
Pamunkey^  over  which  Opechancanough  was  King,  lay  in 
the  Fork  of  the  River,  and  his  chief  Seat  was  nearly,  where 
the  Pamunkey  Tovvn  now  is.  From  the  Toughtanunds  they 
led  him  to  the  Mattaponies^  the  Piankatanks^  the  Nantaugh- 
tacunds^  on  Rappahanock^  and  the  Nominies^  on  Patowmack 
River.  And  having  pafled  him  over  all  thofe  Rivers,  they 
brought  him  back,  through  feveral  other  Nations,  to  O- 
pechancanough's  Habitation  at  Pamunkey  ;  where,  with  fright- 
ful Howlings,  and  many  ftrange  and  hellifli  Ceremonies, 
they  conjured  him  three  Days,  to  know,  as  they  told  him, 
whether  he  intended  them  well  or  ill.  After  this,  they 
brought  him  a  Bag  of  Gunpowder,  which  they  judged  to 
be  a  Grain,  fpringing  out  of  the  Earth,  as  other  Grains 
did  ;  and  therefore  they  carefully  preferved  it,  intending  to 
plant  it  the  next  Spring,  as  they  did  their  Corn.  And  then 
he  was  invited,  and  feafted,  in  a  fumptuous  Manner,  by 
Opitchapan^  fecond  Brother  to  Powhatan^  and  next  Heir  to 
all  his  Dominions.  But  here,  as  in  all  other  Places,  none 
of  them  would  touch  a  Morfel  with  him ;  altho'  they 
would  feaft  very  merrily  upon  what  he  left.  At  laft  they 
condu6led  him  to  Werowocomoco^  where  Powhatan^  the 
Emperor,  was.  IVerowocomoco  lay  on  the  North  Side  of 
York  River,  in  Glocejier  County,  nearly  oppofite  to  the 
Mouth  of  ^een's  Creek,  and  about  twenty  five  Miles  be- 
low the  Fork  of  the  River.  It  was  at  that  Time  Pow- 
hatan's principal  Place  of  Refidence  ;  altho'  afterwards,  not 
admiring  the  near  Neighbourhood  of  the  Engli/h^  he  retired 
to  Orapakes. 

Powhatan  himfelf  was  a  tall,  well-proportioned  Man,  of 
a  four  Afpedl,  and  of  a  very  ftrong  and  hardy  Conftitution 
of  Body.  His  proper  Name  was  Wahunfonacock  ;  and  he 
had  that  of  Powhatan^  from  the  Town  fo  called,  near  the 
Falls  of  James  River,  which  was  the  chief  Seat  and  Metro- 
polis of  his  hereditary  Dominions  ;  and  he  feems  to  have 
removed  to  Werowocomoco  for  Conveniency,  after  he  had 
extended  his  Conquefts  far  North.  For  his  hereditary 
Countries  were  only  Powhatan.,  Arrohattock.,  about  twelve 
Miles  lower  down,  which  hath  fince  been  corrupted  to 
Haddihaddocks.,  Appamatock.,  Youghtanund.,  Pamunkey.,  and 
Mattapony  ;  to  which  may  be  added,  Werowocomoco.,  and 
Kijkiack.,   or   as   it   hath   fince  been   called,    Cheefecake.,  be- 

E  3  tween 


54  'I'l-'c   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1607.      tween   Williamjhurg  and  Tork.     All  the  reft  were  his  Con- 

^ , '  quefts  ;  and  they  were  bounded  on  the  South  by  'James  Ri- 

7.  Ratciiffe  ygj.^  'With  all  its  Branches,  from  the  Mouth  to  the  Falls, 
and  fo  acrofs  the  Country,  nearly  as  high  as  the  Falls  of 
all  the  great  Rivers,  over  Patowmack  even  to  Patuxen  in 
Maryland.  And  fome  Nations  alfo  on  the  Eajlern  Shore, 
owned  Subjection  to  him.  Thefe  Dominions  defcended, 
not  to  his  Sons  or  Children,  but  firft  to  his  Brothers, 
whereof  he  had  three,  Opitchapan^  Opechancanough.,  and 
Catataugh  ;  and  then  to  his  Sifters,  according  to  their  Se- 
niority ;  and  after  them  to  the  Heirs  male  or  female  of  the 
eldeft  Sifter,  and  fo  of  the  reft,  but  never  to  the  Heirs  of 
the  Males. 

H  E  lived  in  great  barbaric  State  and  Magnificence. 
He  ufually  had  about  his  Perfon  forty  or  fifty  of  the  talleft 
Men,  his  Country  afforded  ;  which  Guard  was,  after  this 
time,  encreafed  to  two  hundred,  on  Account  of  the  En- 
glijh.  Every  Night,  upon  the  four  Corners  of  his  Houfe 
were  placed  four  Sentinels,  each  a  flight  Shot  from  the 
other ;  and  every  half  Hour,  one  from  the  main  Guard 
hollowed,  fhaking  his  Finger  between  his  Lips,  and  every 
Sentinel  was  obliged  to  anfwer  from  his  Stand.  If  any  failed, 
an  Officer  was  immediately  fent,  who  beat  him  extremely. 
At  all  his  ancient  Inheritances,  he  had  Houfes,  fome  of 
them  thirty  or  forty  Yards  long  ;  and  at  every  Houfe,  Pro- 
vifion  for  his  Entertainment,  according  to  the  Seafon.  He 
kept  as  many  Women,  as  he  pleafed  ;  and  when  he  laid 
down,  one  fat  at  his  Head,  and  another  at  his  Feet  ;  but 
when  he  was  up,  one  fat  on  his  right  Hand,  and  another 
on  his  left.  And  as  he  was  weary  of  them,  he  beftowed 
them  on  fuch  of  his  Servants,  as  had  moft  pleafed  him,  or 
beft  deferved  them  at  his  Hands. 

Altho'  both  himfelf  and  People  were  very  barbarous, 
and  void  of  all  Letters  and  Civility,  yet  was  there  fuch  a 
Government  among  them,  that  the  Magiftrates  for  good 
Command,  and  the  People  for  due  Subjection,  excelled 
many  Places,  that  would  be  counted  very  civil.  He  had 
under  him  above  thirty  inferior  Kings  or  Werowances,  who 
had  Power  of  Life  and  Death,  but  were  bound  to  govern 
according  to  the  Cuftoms  of  their  Country.  However,  his 
Will  was,  in  all  Cafes,  their  fupreme  Law,  and  muft  be 
obeyed.  They  all  knew  their  feveral  Lands,  Habitations, 
and  Limits  to  fifti,  fowl,  or  hunt  in.  But  they  held  all  of 
their  great  Werowance,  Powhatan  ;  to  whom  they  paid 
Tribute  of  Skins,  Beads,  Copper,  Pearl,  Deer,  Turkies, 
wild  Bealts,  and  Corn.  All  his  SubjeCls  reverenced  him, 
not  only  as  a  King,  but  as  half  a  God  ;  and  it  was  curious 

to 


Book  II.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

to  behold,  with  what  Fear  and  Adoration  they  obeyed  him. 

For  at   his  Feet,  they  prefented  whatever  he  commanded  ; 

and  a  Frown  of  his  Brow  would  make  their  greateft  Spirits  J-  ^^'''^#« 

tremble.      And  indeed  it  was   no  Wonder  ;   for  he  was  very 

terrible  and  tyrannous  in  punifhing  fuch,  as  offended  him, 

with  Variety  of  Cruelty  and  the  moft  exquifite  Torture. 

W  HEN  Smith  was  prefented  to  him,  he  was  about  fixty 
Years  of  Age,  fomething  hoary,  and  of  a  favage  Majefty 
and  Grandeur.  He  fat  before  a  Fire,  upon  a  wooden 
Throne,  like  a  Bedftead,  clothed  with  a  great  Robe  of 
Racoon  Skins,  and  with  a  Coronet  of  Feathers  about  his 
Head.  On  either  Hand,  fat  a  young  Wench,  of  about  fix- 
teen  or  eighteen  Years  of  Age  ;  and  along  each  Side  of  the 
Houfe,  a  Row  of  Men,  and  behind  them,  as  many  Wo- 
men, painted  and  adorned  in  their  beft  Manner.  When 
Smith  entered,  all  the  People  gave  a  Shout ;  and  the  Queen 
of  Appamatox  was  appointed  to  bring  him  Water  to  wafli 
his  Hands,  and  another  brought  a  Bunch  of  Feathers,  in- 
ftead  of  a  Towel,  to  dry  them.  After  that,  having  feafted 
him  in  their  beft  Manner,  a  long  Confultation  was  held  ; 
at  the  Conclufion  of  which,  two  great  Stones  were  brought 
before  Powhatan^  and  Smith  was  dragged  to  them,  and  his 
Head  laid  thereon,  in  order  to  have  his  Brains  beat  out  with 
Clubs.  But  Pocahontas^  the  King's  darling  Daughter, 
when  no  Entreaty  could  prevail,  got  his  Head  into  her 
Arms,  and  laid  her  own  upon  it,  to  fave  his  Life.  Where- 
upon Powhatan  was  perfuaded  to  let  him  live,  to  make 
himfelf  Hatchets,  and  her  Bells,  Beads,  and  Copper.  For 
the  King  himfelf  would  make  his  own  Robes,  Shoes,  Bows, 
Arrows,  and  Pots  ;  and  would  hunt,  plant,  and  do  every 
thing  elfe,  like  the  reft ;  and  therefore  they  thought  him 
of  all  Occupations,  as  well  as  themfelves.  And  befides  this 
furprifing  Tendernefs  and  Affection  of  Pocahontas^  who  was 
at  that  Time  about  twelve  or  thirteen  Years  of  Age,  Cap- 
tain Smith  received  many  Services  from  Nantaquaus^  the 
Emperor's  Son.  He  was  a  Youth  of  the  comelieft  and  moft 
manly  Perfon,  and  of  the  higheft  Spirit  and  Courage,  of 
any  in  the  Court  of  Powhatan  ;  and  he  embraced  Smithes 
Intereft  with  much  Warmth  and  Heartinefs,  and  did  him 
many  A6ts  of  Friendfhip  and  Kindnefs. 

Two  Days  after,  Powhatan^  having  difguifed  himfelf 
in  the  moft  frightful  Manner,  he  could,  caufed  Captain 
Smith  to  be  carried  to  a  great  Houfe  in  the  Woods,  and 
there  to  be  left  alone  on  a  Mat  by  the  Fire.  Not  long  after, 
from  behind  a  Mat,  which  divided  the  Houfe,  was  made 
the  moft  doleful  Noife,  he  had  ever  heard  ;  and  then  Pow- 
hatan^ with  about  two   Hundred  more,  as  frightful  as  him- 

E  4  felf. 


56  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1607.      felf,  came  to  him,  and  told  him,  they  were  now  Friends, 

r 'and     he     (hould     immediately     go     to     James-Town^     to 

7.  Raiciiffc  fend  him  two  great  Guns  and  a  Grindftone  ;  for  which  he 
Prefident.  ^^^jj  gj^.g  hj^^  ^^g  Country  of  Capahoivfick^  and  ever  after 
efteem  him,  as  his  Son  Nantaquaus.  Captain  Smith  put 
little  Confidence  in  his  Words,  and  expe6led  every 
Minute,  even  till  he  got  to  'James-Town^  to  be  put  to  one 
Kind  of  Death  or  other.  But  Powhatan  fent  him  off 
immediately,  with  twelve  Guides  ;  and  having  lodged 
that  Night  in  the  Woods,  he  arrived  the  next  Morning 
early  at  the  Fort. 

And  thus  Captain  Smithy  after  feven  Weeks  Captivity, 
returned  to  James-Town^  with  the  Advantage  of  being  much 
improved  in  the  Knowledge  of  the  Country  and  their  Lan- 
guage. He  ufed  his  Guides  with  the  utmoft  Kindnefs  ;  and 
fhewed  Rawhunt^  Powhatan^?,  trufty  Servant,  two  Demi- 
Culverins  and  a  Mill-ftone,  to  carry  to  their  Mafter.  Their 
Weight  was  fufficient  to  deter  them  from  the  Attempt ; 
but  when  they  faw  him  difcharge  them,  loaded  with  Stones, 
among  the  Boughs  of  a  great  Tree,  hung  with  Icicles,  the 
Terror  of  the  Report,  and  the  Ratling  of  the  Boughs  and 
Ice,  fo  frighted  the  poor  Savages,  that  they  ran  away,  half 
dead  with  Fear.  But  having  regained  fome  Conference 
with  them,  he  gave  them  fuch  Toys  for  themfelves,  and 
fent  Poivhatan^  his  Women,  and  Children,  fuch  Prefents, 
as  gave  a  general  fatisfa6lion. 

too 

A  T  James-Town  every  thing  was  in  Confufion,  and  the 
ftrongeft  were  preparing  once  more  to  run  away  with  the 
Bark.  But  Smithy  with  the  Hazard  of  his  Life,  forced  her 
the  third  time,  to  ftay  or  fink  in  the  River.  And  the  next 
Day,  feveral  combined  with  the  Prefident,  to  put  him  to 
Death  by  the  Levitical  Law,  for  the  Lives  of  Robinfon  and 
Emry^  whom,  they  faid,  he  had  led  to  their  End,  and 
was  confequently  the  Author  of  their  Death.  But  he  quick- 
ly took  fuch  Order  with  thofe  Lawyers,  that  he  laid  them 
by  the  Heels,  till  he  fent  fome  of  them  Prifoners  to  England. 
And  then,  by  his  Relation  of  the  Plenty,  he  had  feen  a- 
mong  the  Natives,  efpecially  at  IVeroiuocomoco^  and  of  the 
State  and  Bounty  of  Powhatan^  till  then  unknown,  he  very 
much  appeafed  their  Fears,  and  revived  their  dead  Spirits. 
And  Pocahontas^  with  her  Attendants,  ever  once  in  four  or 
five  Days,  brought  him  fo  much  Provifion,  as  faved  the 
Lives  of  many,  who  muff  otherwife  have  perifhed  with 
Hunger.  Several  others  alfo  of  the  Natives  repaired  daily 
to  the  Fort,  with  fuch  Provifions,  as  fufficiently  ferved 
them  from  Hand  to  Mouth.  Part  they  always  brought 
Smithy  as  Prefents  from  their  Kings  or  Pocahontas  ;  and  he, 

as 


Book  II.      "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

as  their  Market-Clerk,  fet  the  Price  upon  the  reft.  So 
much  had  he  aftonifhed  and  enchanted  thofe  poor  Souls, 
whilft  their  Prifoner,  that  they  efteemed  him,  as  a  Tiem\-7- ^""^W' 
God,  and  were  ready,  at  his  Beck,  to  do,  whatever  he  ^^^  ^^^' 
commanded.  And  the  God,  who  created  all  things,  they 
knew,  he  adored  as  his  God,  and  would,  in  their  Dif- 
courfe,  call  him  the  God  of  Captain  Sjnith. 

And  this  their  high  Opinion  was  much  increafed  by  the 
Arrival  of  Captain  Newport^  whom  Sfnith^  among  them, 
called  his  Father,  nearly  about  the  time,  that  he  had  fore- 
told. For  the  Treafurer  and  Council  in  England  fent  two 
Ships,  the  latter  End  of  this  Year,  with  a  Supply  of  Pro- 
vifions,  and  an  hundred  and  twenty  Men.  Thefe  came, 
well  furniftied  with  all  things,  that  could  be  imagined  ne- 
ceflary,  as  Captain  Smith  tells  us.  But  however,  we  muft 
always  make  fome  Allowance  in  his  Account  of  thefe  things. 
For  he  was  a  very  great  Friend  to  Sir  Thomas  Smith  ;  and 
we  fhall  fee  hereafter,  from  feveral  authentic  Papers,  but 
efpecially  from  a  Reprefentation  of  our  General  Affembly, 
among  the  Records  in  the  Capitol^  that  that  Officer  was 
moft  fcandaloufly  negligent,  if  not  corrupt,  particularly  in 
this  Matter  of  Supplies.'  One  of  thefe  Ships  was  com- 
manded by  Captain  Newport^  the  other  by  Captain  Francis 
Nelfon^  an  honeft  Man  and  expert  Mariner.  But  fuch 
was  the  Lewardnefs  of  his  Ship,  that  altho'  he  was  within 
Sight  of  Cape  Henry^  yet  by  contrary  Winds  and  ftormy 
Weather,  he  was  driven  off  the  Coaft,  and  forced  to  the 
Weji-Indies^  to  repair  his  Mafts,  and  to  get  a  Recruit  of 
Wood  and  Water.  But  before  this,  the  Prefident  and 
Council  fo  much  envied  Smith\  Efteem  among  the  Natives, 
altho'  they  all  equally  participated  of  the  good  Effects  of 
it,  that  to  raife  their  Credit  and  Authority  above  his,  they 
would  give  them  four  times  as  much  for  their  Commodities, 
as  he  had  appointed.  And  now,  out  of  Joy  for  the  Ar- 
rival of  this  iirft  Supply,  and  to  gratify  the  Mariners,  they 
gave  them  free  Liberty  to  trade,  as  they  pleafed.  So  that 
in  a  fhort  time,  what  was  before  bought  for  an  Ounce  of 
Copper,  could  not  be  had  for  a  Pound.  To  which  Captain 
Newport'^  profufe  Prefents  to  Powhatan  were  added,  and 
gave  the  finifhing  Blow  to  their  Trade.  They  ferved  in- 
deed to  entertain  and  keep  up  the  high  Idea  of  Newport's 
Greatnefs,  which  Sinith  had  raifed  in  Powhatan^  and  made 
him  very  defirous  to  fee  him. 

Accordingly  the  Bark  was  prepared,  and  a  great 

Coil   there   was   at    'James-Toiun  to   fet  him  off.     Captain 

Smith  and  Mr.  Matthew  Scrivener^  a  difcreet  and   under- 

ftanding  Gentleman,  newly   arrived   and   admitted    of    the 

i„  Council, 


58  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  II. 

1607-     Council,   attended   him   with  a   Guard   of    thirty   or    forty 

^'^ ^-Y 'chofen   Men.     When  they   came  to    IFerowocomoco^  New- 

J.  Ratcliffe pgyf  began  to  entertain  many  Fears  and  Sufpicions  of  Trea- 
Pre  dent.  j,j^gj.y_  g^.  Smith,  with  twenty  Men,  undertook  to  en- 
counter the  worft,  that  could  happen  ;  and  going  afhore, 
was  kindly  conduced  by  two  or  three  hundred  Indians  to 
the  Town.  Powhatan  {trained  himfelf,  upon  this  Occafi- 
on,  to  the  utmoft  of  his  Greatnefs  to  entertain  them,  with 
great  Shouts  of  Joy,  Orations,  and  Proteftations,  and  with 
the  moft  fumptuous  and  plentiful  Banquet,  he  could  pro- 
vide. He  fat  on  a  Bed  of  Mats,  with  a  Pillow  of  Leather 
embroidered  with  Pearl  and  white  Beads  ;  and  was  cloathed 
in  a  Robe  of  Skins,  as  large  as  an  Irijh  Mantle.  At  his 
Head  and  Feet,  fat  a  handfome  young  Woman  ;  and  on 
each  Side  the  Houfe,  twenty  of  his  Concubines,  with  their 
Heads  and  Shoulders  painted  red,  and  a  great  Chain  of  white 
Beads  about  each  of  their  Necks.  Before  them,  fat  his 
chief  Men,  in  the  like  Order  ;  and  above  forty  Platters  of 
fine  Bread  ftood  in  two  Files,  on  each  Side  of  the  Door. 
Four  or  five  hundred  People  attended,  as  a  Guard  ;  and 
Proclamation  was  made,  that  none,  upon  Pain  of  Death, 
fhould  prefume  to  do  the  Engli/h  any  Wrong  or  Difcour- 
tefy.  And  thus  did  Smith  and  he  fpend  the  Day,  in  a  kind 
Renewal  of  their  former  Acquaintance,  and  in  feafting, 
and  feeing  them  dance  and  fing,  and  play  their  other  Feats 
of  Humour  and  A6tivity.  And  that  Night,  the  Englijh 
were  quartered  and  lodged  by  Pozuhatan. 

The  next  Morning,  Newport  came  afhore,  and  they 
fpent  three  or  four  Days  more  in  feafting,  and  dancing,  and 
trading.  In  all  which  time,  Powhatan  behaved  himfelf  with 
fuch  Loftinefs  and  State,  and  yet  with  fo  much  Difcretion, 
that  they  could  not  forbear  admiring  his  natural  Parts  and 
Underftanding.  Scorning  to  trade,  as  his  Subje6ls  did,  he 
told  Newport,  that  he  efteemed  him  a  great  Werowance, 
as  well  as  himfelf;  that  it  was  not  agreeable  to  their  Dig- 
nity to  trade,  in  that  pedling  Manner,  for  Trifles  ;  and 
that  therefore,  if  he  would  lay  down  all  his  Commodities 
together,  he  would  chufe,  what  he  liked,  and  give  him 
their  Value.  Sjnith,  who  was  their  Interpreter,  and  knew 
Powhatan  s  Difpofition,  told  the  Company,  his  Intent  was 
only  to  cheat  them.  But  Newport,  thinking  to  out-brave 
this  ftately  Barbarian  in  Oftentation  and  Greatnefs,  and  by 
his  Bounty  to  obtain  from  him,  whatever  he  pleafed,  ac- 
cepted the  Condition.  And  then  Powhatan,  having  taken 
what  he  liked,  valued  his  Corn  at  fuch  a  Rate,  that  they 
had  not  four  Buftiels,  for  what  they  expelled  twenty  Hogf- 
heads.     This  bred  fome  Diftafte  between  the  two  Engli/h 

Captains  ; 


Book  II.       "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Captains.       But    S?nith^   fmothering  his  Diflike  before  the 

Savao;es,  glanced   feveral  Trifles  in  the  Eyes  of  Powhatan^ 

who  foon  fixed  his  Fancy  on  fome  blue  Beads.      He  was  a  J-  R'^^'-W' 

long   time   importunate   to   have   them ;    but    Smith  valued 

them  fo  much  the  higher,  and  told  him,  they  were  com- 

pofed  of  a  rare  Subftance  of  the   Colour  of  the   Skies,  and 

were  not  to  be  worn  by  any,  but  the  greateft  Kings  in  the 

World.     This  made  him  the  more  eager  and  mad  for  them; 

fo  that,  for  a  Pound  or  two  of  blue   Beads,  he  drew  from 

him  two  or  three  hundred  Bufliels  of  Corn,  and  yet  parted 

in    good    Friendfhip.       Upon    this    Voyage    Newport   gave 

Powhatan  a  Boy,  named   Thomas   Savage^  whom  he  called 

his  Son  ;  and  Powhatan  gave  him  Namontack^  a  Servant  of 

his,  of  a  (hrewd  and  fubtle  Capacity. 

From  IVerowocomoco  they  went  to  Pamunkey^  where 
they  were  feafted  in  like  Manner  by  Opechancanough. 
Smith  fitted  him  alfo,  at  the  fame  Rates,  with  blue  Beads  ; 
which,  by  this  Means,  grew  into  fuch  Eftimation,  that  none 
durft  wear  them,  but  their  great  Kings,  or  their  Wives  and 
Children.  At  length  weighing  from  thence,  they  returned 
to  fames-Town  \  where  this  new  Supply  of  Corn  being 
lodged  with  the  reft,  their  Store-houfe  was  by  fome  Acci- 
dent fired,  and  fo  the  Town,  which,  being  thatched  with 
Reeds,  burnt  with  that  Fiercenefs  and  Violence,  as  foon 
confumed  their  wooden  Fortifications,  with  their  Arms, 
Apparel,  and  Bedding,  and  much  private  Goods  and  Pro- 
vifion.  The  good  Mr.  Hunt  loft  all  his  Library,  with  every 
thing  elfe,  that  he  had,  except  the  Cloaths  on  his  Back ; 
yet  no  one  ever  heard  him  murmur  or  repine  at  it. 

Notwithstanding  this  unfortunate  Accident,  1608. 
they  had  yet  a  tolerable  Stock  of  Oatmeal,  Meal,  and  Corn, 
had  not  the  Ship  loitered  fourteen  Weeks  in  the  Country, 
when  file  might  as  well  have  been  gone  in  fourteen  Days. 
For  they  thereby  helped  to  confume  a  great  Part  of  the 
Colony's  Store,  and  near  all  the  Provifions,  fent  to  be  land- 
ed. When  they  departed,  they  left  them,  what  little  they 
thought  proper  to  fpare  ;  which  they  were  glad  to  receive, 
and  make  up  an  Account,  highly  commending  their  Care 
and  Providence,  left  they  fhould  difcourage  the  Council  at 
home  from  fending  any  more.  Yet  thofe  Perfons,  who 
had  either  Money,  fpare  Cloaths,  Credit  for  Bills  of  Ex- 
change, Gold  Rings,  Furs,  or  any  fuch  valuable  Commo- 
dities, were  always  welcome  to  this  floating  Tavern.  Such 
was  their  Neceflity  and  Misfortune,  to  be  under  the  Lafti 
of  thofe  vile  Commanders,  and  to  buy  their  own  Provifions 
at  fifteen  times  the  Value  ;  fuffering  them  to  feaft  at  their 
Charge,  whilft  themfelves  were   obliged    to    faft,  and    yet 

dare 


6o  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  II. 

1608.     dare  not  repine,  left  they  fhould  incur  the  Cenfure  of  being 

— ^^.- '  factious  and  feditious  Perfons.      By  thefe  Means  and  Ma- 

j.  Ratcliffe  nagemcnt,  the  Colony  was  rather  burthened  than  relieved, 
by  the  vaft  Charge  of  this  Ship  ;  and  being  reduced  to  Meal 
and  Water,  and  expofed,  by  the  Lofs  of  their  Town,  to 
the  moft  bitter  Cold  and  Froft,  above  half  of  them  died. 
Sfnith  indeed  and  Scrivener  endeavoured  to  corre6l  all  A- 
bufes,  and  to  put  things  into  a  better  Pofture  ;  but  they 
could  do  nothing  to  Effe6t,  being  overpowered  by  the  Pre- 
fident  and  his  Party,  who  had  long  before  this  laid  afide 
their  Deference  to  S/nitl/s  Judgment  and  Alanagement. 

About  this  time  alfo,  there  fprung  up  a  very  trouble- 
fome  Se6l  of  Gold-finders,  which  was  headed  by  Captain 
Martin^  and  warmly  embraced  by  Newport.  There  was 
no  Thought,  no  Difcourfe,  no  Hope,  and  no  Work,  but 
to  dig  Gold,  wafh  Gold,  refine  Gold,  and  load  Gold.  And 
notwithftanding  Captain  Smith's  warm  and  judicious  Re- 
prefentations,  how  abfurd  it  was,  to  negleil  other  things  of 
immediate  Ufe  and  Neceffitv,  to  load  fuch  a  drunken  Ship 
with  guilded  Duft  ;  yet  was  he  over-ruled,  and  her  Re- 
turns made  in  a  Parcel  of  glittering  Dirt,  which  is  found 
in  various  Parts  of  the  Country,  and  which  they  very 
fanguinely  concluded  to  be  Gold-Duft.  And  in  her  they 
fent  home  Mr.  IFingfield  and  Captain  Archer^  to  feek  fome 
better  Place  of  Employment  in  England.  For  they  had 
affumed  many  empty  Titles  of  Offices  here,  as  Admirals, 
Recorders,  Chronologers,  Juftices  of  the  Peace  and  of  the 
Courts  of  Plea,  with  other  fuch  idle  and  infignificant  Pre- 
tenfions. 

And  now  Martin  and  the  Prefident,  carrying  all  things, 
as  they  pleafed,  by  their  Faction,  lived  in  great  Splendor 
by  the  Sale  of  the  Store's  Commodities,  as  if  they  had  been 
their  proper  and  hereditary  Revenue.  And  the  Spring  ap- 
proaching. Captain  Syyiith  and  Mr.  Scrivener  prepared  Fields 
for  Corn,  and  applied  themfelves  to  rebuild  'James-Town., 
and  repair  the  Church,  Store-houfe,  and  Fortifications. 
But  whilft  they  were  all  bufily  engaged  at  their  feveral  La- 
bours, Captain  Nelfon.,  who  had  been  driven  off  the  Coaft, 
as  was  before  faid,  and  as  they  all  thought,  loft,  unex- 
pe6tedly  arrived,  to  their  great  Joy.  He  had  been  very 
careful  and  provident,  and  had  fed  his  Company  on  what 
he  got  at  the  Weji- India  Iflands  ;  fo  that  the  Provifions 
he  now  landed,  joined  to  their  former  Store,  were  fufficient 
to  fupport  them  half  a  Year,  according  to  their  prefent 
Allowance.  He  himfelf  alfo  freely  imparted,  whatever  he 
had  ;  and  by  his  fair  and  generous  Behaviour,  he  got  the 
Good-word  and  Love  of  the  whole  Colony.  And  the  Pre- 
fident, 


Book  II.     rbe    History    of  VIRGINIA.  61 

fident,    to    fend    fome    good    News    by    this   Ship,    ordered      1608. 

Captain  Smithy  with   fixty  able   Men,  to  difcover  the   Coun-  " y ^ 

try  of  the  Monacan^  or  as  they  were  afterwards  called,  the  J-  ^^'^^#« 
Manakin  Indians  \  a  Nation  above  the  Falls  of  James- 
River,  not  fubjeil  to  Potvhatan^  but  profeft  Enemies  to 
him  and  his  Dominions.  For  that  ftrange  Blood-thirflinefs, 
and,  as  it  were,  judicial  Infatuation,  of  warring  againft 
and  exterminating  each  other,  which  at  prefent  infefts  our 
Indians^  and  has  been  the  Caufe  of  the  utter  Extirpation  of 
moft  of  the  Nations  on  this  Continent,  was  even  then  root- 
ed in  their  Nature,  and  may  be  obferved  in  the  oldeft  Ac- 
counts, that  we  have  of  them.  However  as  it  was  the 
Time  of  planting  Corn,  and  this  Ship  was  to  be  difpatched. 
Captain  Smith  thought  thofe  and  other  things  more  urgent 
at  that  time,  and  therefore  deferred  the  Difcovery,  till  he 
could  perform  it  with  lefs  Charge  and  more  Leifure. 

W  HEN  Newport  left  the  Country,  Powhatan  prefented 
him  with  twenty  Turkies,  and  in  return  demanded  twenty 
Swords,  which  were  immediately  fent  him.  Afterwards 
he  prefented  Captain  Smith  with  the  like  Number ;  but 
having  no  Swords  in  Return,  he  was  highly  oflFended,  and 
ordered  his  People  to  take  them  by  Stratagem  or  Force. 
So  that  they  became  infufferably  troublefome  and  infolent, 
would  furprife  the  Engli/J]  at  their  Work,  and  feife  their 
Swords  at  the  very  Ports  of  "James-Town.  The  Prefident 
and  Martin.,  who  now  bore  the  Sway,  would  keep  their 
Houfes,  or  do  any  thing,  rather  than  tranfgrefs  a  ftri<5l  Com- 
mand from  England.,  not  to  offend  them.  But  at  length 
they  happened  to  meddle  with  Captain  Smith.,  who  gave 
them  a  rough  Encounter,  hunted  them  up  and  down  the 
Ifland,  and  feifed  feven,  whom  he  whipped  and  imprifon- 
ed.  By  this  and  other  fmart  Proceedings,  he  brought  them 
to  SubmifTion  ;  and  they  unanimoufly  confeffed,  that  they 
a£led  by  Powhatan  ?,  Direction,  in  order  to  get  Swords  from 
the  Englijlo.,  to  cut  their  own  Throats  ;  and  they  likewife 
difcovered,  how,  where,  and  when,  this  Defign  was  to  be 
put  in  Execution  ;  all  which  was  confirmed  by  many  con- 
current Circumftances.  But  Powhatan.,  finding,  that  things 
went  not  according  to  his  Defire  and  Intent,  fent  Pocahon- 
tas with  Prefents,  to  excufe  himfelf  for  the  Injuries  done  by 
fome  of  his  ungovernable  Captains  ;  and  he  defired  their 
Liberty  for  this  time,  with  Affurances  of  his  Love  and 
Friendfhip  for  ever.  And  S7nith  having  given  them  a  pro- 
per Correction,  delivered  them  to  Pocahontas ;  for  whofe 
Sake  alone  he  pretended  to  fave  their  Lives,  and  give  them 
their  Liberty.  Thus,  without  the  Death  of  one  Man,  he 
reftrained  their  Infolence,  and  brought  them  into  fuch  per- 

fea 


62  "The    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1 60S.     fe(5t  Fear  and  Obedience,  that  his  very  Name  was  fufficient 
'^•^  r — ^  to  fright  them;  whereas  before  they  had   fometimes  Peace 
J.  Ratcliffc  ^j^^  War  twice  in  a  Day,  and  feldom  a  Week  pafled  without 
fome  Treachery  or  Ambufcade.      But  the  peaceable  Coun- 
cil were  highly  offended  at  thefe  Proceedings,  and  expoftu- 
lated  warmly  with  him  for  his  Rafhnefs  and  Cruelty. 

There  had  been  a  Difpute  between  Martin  and  Smithy 
whether  this  Ship  fhould  be  laded  with  Cedar  or  Dirt. 
But  her  Freight  being  concluded  to  be  Cedar,  fhe  was,  by 
the  Diligence  of  her  Captain  and  Smithy  quickly  difpatched. 
In  her  Captain  Mar-tin^  being  always  ficklv  and  unfervice- 
able,  and  having  his  Head  full*  of  the  idle  Whimfy  of  a 
Gold  Mine,  was  moft  willingly  admitted  to  return  to  En- 
gland. In  thefe  two  Ships,  befides  Mr.  Scrivener^  came 
Walter  Rujfel^  Do£lor  of  Phyfick,  Richard  Fetherjione^  and 
fome  others  of  Note.  And  whilft  Nelfon  and  Smith  were 
engaged  in  loading  the  Ship,  Mr.  Scrivener  was  neither  idle 
nor  flow  in  carrying  on  the  Works  of  Ja?nes-Town.  But 
the  Prefident's  Prodigality  and  State  went  fo  deep,  and  was 
fo  fenfibly  felt  in  their  fmall  Store,  that  he  and  Smith  were 
obliged  to  bind  him  and  his  Parafites  to  the  Rules  of  Pro- 
portion. 

On  the  fecond  of  June  Captain  Nelfon  fell  down  the 
River,  and  was  accompanied  to  the  Capes  by  Smithy  who, 
in  an  open  Boat  of  about  three  Tons  Burthen,  together 
with  Dr.  Rujfel  and  thirteen  more,  was  going  to  difcover 
Chefapeake  Bay.  Parting  with  the  Ship  at  Cape  Henry^ 
they  ftood  over  to  thofe  Iflands,  which  were  then  called, 
after  him  their  firft  Difcoverer,  S/nith's  I/Iands.  The  firft 
People,  they  faw,  were  two  grim  and  ftout  Indians  on 
Cape  Charles,  with  long  Poles,  like  Javelins,  headed  with 
Bone.  They  fternly  demanded,  what  they  were,  and 
what  they  wanted  ;  but  grew  afterwards  more  kind,  and 
directed  them  to  Accoinack,  the  Habitation  of  their  tVero- 
wance.  This  King  treated  them  very  kindly,  and  was  the 
comlieft,  moft  proper,  and  civil  Indian,  they  had  met  with. 
They  fpoke  the  Language  of  Powhatan,  and  at  that  time 
lay  under  the  Misfortune  of  a  ftrange  Mortality,  which 
they  attributed  to  a  Miracle.  Pafling  on  from  thence,  they 
coafted  it  along,  and  fearched  every  Inlet  and  Bay,  that 
feemed  proper  for  Harbours  or  Habitations ;  and  many 
Harbours  they  found  for  fmall  Veffels,  but  none  fit  to  re- 
ceive large  Ships.  Then  fpying  many  Iflands  out  in  the 
Bay,  they  bore  up  for  them  ;  but  before  they  could  reach 
them,  there  rofe  such  a  Guft  of  Thunder,  Lightning, 
"\Vind,  and  Rain,  that  with  great  Difficulty  they  efcaped 
being  foundered.      Thefe  Iflands  they  named  Rujfets  Iflands, 

after 


Book  11.     rhe    History    of  VIRGINIA.  63 

after   Dr.  Rujfel;  and  they  are  the   fame  with   thofe,  now      1608. 

called  Tanger  IJlands.      Being  in  Want  of  Water,  and  find-  ' y ' 

ing  none  in  thefe  Iflands,  they  were  obliged  to  follow  the  ^- ^'''^'''if' 
next  Eaftern  Channel,  which  brought  them  into  the  River  ^^^  ^"'* 
■  W'lghcocomoco^  which  is  the  River  now  called  Pokotnoke. 
The  Northern  Point,  at  the  Mouth,  they  called  Watkins'% 
Pointy  and  a  Hill,  on  the  South  of  Pokomoke  Bay,  Keel's 
Hill^  after  two  of  the  Company.  Running  up  the  River, 
the  Natives  at  firft  threatened,  with  great  Fury,  to  aflault 
them  ;  but  at  laft  became  very  tra6table  and  kind.  They 
dug  in  feveral  Places,  and  fearched  their  Habitations,  yet 
could  get  but  little  Water,  and  that  mere  Puddle.  Yet 
fuch  was  their  Diflrefs  two  Days  after,  that  they  would 
have  refufed  a  Quart  full  of  Gold  for  a  Pint  of  that  Pud- 
dle. 

Departing  from  thence,  they  found  on  a  high  Point 
of  Land,  which  they  called  Point  Ployer^  a  Pond  of  frefh 
Water,  but  fo  exceedingly  hot,  that  they  fuppofed  it  to  be 
fome  Bath.  Then  (landing  over  to  fome  other  Iflands, 
there  arofe  fuch  another  Thunder-Guft,  that  their  Maft 
and  Sail  was  blown  overboard,  and  fuch  mighty  Waves 
over-racked  their  Boat,  that  they  could  fcarce,  with  much 
Labour  in  bailing  out  the  Water,  keep  her  from  finking. 
Two  Days  they  ftaid  among  thefe  Iflands,  and  becaufe  of 
the  Gufts  and  Storms,  that  then  happened,  they  called  the 
Place  Limbo;  but  they  are  the  fame,  which  have  fmce  been 
named  l-Vats^  IJlands.  Having  repaired  the  Lofs  of  their 
Sail  with  their  Shirts,  they  ftood  over  again  to  the  Eaftern 
Shore,  and  fell  in  with  a  pretty  convenient  River,  then 
called  Cufcaratuock.  This  is,  what  is  laid  down  in  our  pre- 
fent  Charts  by  the  Name  of  IVighcocomoco^  by  whatever 
Accident  that  Name  hath  fliifted,  in  Procefs  of  Time,  from 
Pokomoke  River  to  this.  Here  the  Natives  oppofed  them 
very  furioufly  ;  but  leaving  fome  Toys  in  their  Huts,  they 
brought  fome  of  them  over  at  laft,  to  be  very  fond  and 
obliging.  On  this  River  lived  the  Nations  of  Sarapinagh^ 
Naufe^  Arfeck^  and  Nantaquack^  who  were  the  beft  Mer- 
chants, and  greateft  Traders  of  all  the  Indians  of  this 
Country.  They  had  the  fineft  Furs,  and  made  large 
Quantities  of  the  beft  Roanoke  \  which  was  a  Sort  of  white 
Bead,  that  occafioned  as  much  Diflenfion  among  thofe 
Barbarians^  as  Gold  and  Silver  among  Chriftians.  They 
told  the  Englijh  of,  and  highly  extolled,  a  great  Nation, 
called  the  MaJJawomecks  ;  in  Search  of  whom  they  return- 
ed again,  by  Limbo^  into  the  Bay.  And  finding  the  Coaft 
of  the  Eaftern  Shore,  nothing  but  {hallow,  broken  Ifles, 
and  for  the  moft  Part  without  frefti  Water,  they  ftood  away 

from 


64 


The    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 


1608.  from  thence  acrofs  the  Bay,  bearing  a  httle  upwards,  and 
^— ~v~-^  fell  in  on  the  Weftern  Side,  above  the  Mouth  of  Patuxen 
J.  Ratcliffe  River,  againft  fome  high  Clifts,  which  they  called  Riccard's 
Prefident.  Q^p^^  From  hence  they  failed  thirty  Leagues  farther 
Northward,  without  finding  any  Inhabitants.  The  Coaft 
was  all  along  well  watered,  but  very  mountainous  and  bar- 
ren, except  the  Vallies,  which  were  rich  and  fertile,  but 
extremely  thick  wooded,  and  therefore  abounded  in  Wolves, 
Bears,  Deer,  and  other  wild  Beafts.  They  pafTed  by  many 
Coves  and  fmall  Streams.  The  firft  they  found  navigable 
for  a  Ship,  they  called  Bolus  River,  becaufe  the  Clay,  in 
many  Places  under  the  Clifts,  grew  up  in  red  and  white 
Knobs,  like  Gum  out  of  Trees,  and  they  concluded  it  to 
be  Bole  Jrmeniac  and  Terra  Sigillata.  This  River,  by  it's 
Situation  and  Bearings,  muft  be  the  fame  with  Patapfco  in 
Maryland. 

And  now  Captain  Smith's  Crew,  who  at  firft  feared  no- 
thing fo  much  as  his  too  hafty  Return,  began  to  be  very 
much  foiled  and  fatigued.  They  had  laid  twelve  or  four- 
teen Days  in  that  open  Boat,  were  often  tired  at  the  Oars, 
and  their  Bread  was  fpoiled  and  rotten  with  the  Rain  ;  fo 
that  they  were  very  importunate  with  him  to  return.  But 
he  reminded  them  of  the  memorable  Refolution  of  Sir 
Ralph  Lane's  Company,  in  the  Difcovery  of  the  River  AIo- 
ratuc,  who  infifted  on  his  going  forward,  as  long  as  they 
had  a  Dog  left,  which,  being  boiled  with  Saffafras  Leaves, 
would  afford  them  a  rich  Repaft  in  their  Return.  And  he 
told  them,  what  a  Shame  it  would  be,  to  oblige  him  to 
return,  with  fo  much  Provifion,  as  they  then  had,  when 
they  could  fcarce  fay,  where  they  had  been,  or  give  any  Ac- 
count of  what  they  were  fent  to  difcover  :  That  they  could 
not  deny,  but  he  had  fhared  with  them,  in  the  worft  of 
what  was  paft  ;  and  he  was  willing,  to  take  to  himfelf  the 
worft  Part  of  what  was  to  come  :  That  it  was  not  likely, 
any  thing  worfe  ftiould  befal  them,  than  what  had  already 
happened  ;  and  that  to  return  was  as  dangerous,  as  to  pro- 
ceed. He  therefore  advifed  them,  to  refume  their  loft 
Courage  ;  for  he  was  determined  not  to  defift,  till  he  had 
feen  the  Majfawomecks,  found  Patowmack,  or  traced  the 
Head  of  the  Bay.  But  after  this,  they  were  detained  by  the 
Wind  and  Weather  three  Days  ;  which  added  fuch  a  Dif- 
couragement,  that  three  or  four  fell  fick,  whofe  Diflatif- 
fadlion  and  piteous  Complaints  at  laft  prevailed  with  him 
to  return. 

On  the  1 6th  of  June,  they  fell  in  with  the  Mouth  of 
Patowmack.  Their  Fears  being;  now  gone,  and  Men  reco- 
vered,  they  all  agreed  to  take  fome  Pains  in  the  Difcovery 

of 


Book  II.       rhe   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

of  that  feven-mile  broad  River.  For  altho'  Smith  had  been 
carried  over  it  in  his  Captivity,  yet  he  knew  it  not  again  by ' 
the  Mouth.  For  thirty  Miles  they  found  no  Inhabitants  •,  J-  R^t<=^<ff' 
but  afterwards  were  condu£led,  by  two  Savages,  up  a  little 
bayed  Creek,  towards  Nominy^  where  they  difcovered  the 
Woods  laid  with  Ambufcades,  to  the  Number  of  three  or 
four  Thoufand  Indians^  ftrangely  grimmed  and  difguifed, 
and  making  a  horrible  fhouting  and  yelling.  They  made 
many  Bravadoes,  and  Smith  prepared,  with  as  great  feem- 
ing  Willingnefs,  to  encounter  them.  But  commanding 
fome  Mufkets  to  be  difcharged  on  Purpofe,  the  grazing  of 
the  Bullets  on  the  Water,  together  with  the  Report  and 
Eccho  of  the  Woods,  fo  frighted  and  amazed  them,  that 
they  threw  down  their  Arms,  and  became  very  kind  and 
hearty  Friends.  They  owned,  they  were  commanded  to 
betray  that  Party  of  Englijh^  by  the  Dire6tion  of  Pow- 
hatan^ who  was  defired  fo  to  do,  by  fome  difcontented 
Perfons  at  fames-Town^  becaufe  Captain  Smith  obliged  them 
to  flay  in  the  Country  againft  their  Will.  They  afterwards 
went  up  the  River,  as  high  as  they  could  with  their  Boat ; 
and  were  received  in  fome  Places  kindly,  and  in  others  in  a 
hoftile  Manner.  Up  a  fmall  River,  then  called  ^iyough^ 
which  I  take  to  be  Patoxvmack  Creek,  was  a  Mine  like 
Antimony.  In  this  the  Indians  dug,  and  wafhing  away  the 
Drofs  in  a  clear  Brook,  which  ran  by,  they  put  up  the  Re- 
mainder in  little  Bags,  and  fold  it  all  over  the  Country,  to 
deck  their  Bodies,  Faces,  and  Idols ;  which  made  them 
look  like  Blackamores,  dufted  over  with  Silver.  Newport 
had  carried  fome  of  thefe  Bags  home,  and  aflured  them, 
that  they  were  found,  upon  Trial,  to  contain  half  Silver. 
Being  therefore  very  eager  after  this  Mine,  they  obtained 
Guides  from  Japazaws^  King  of  Patowmack^  who  lived  at 
the  Mouth  of  that  little  River,  and  went  up  to  it  ;  but  all, 
they  got,  proved  of  no  Value.  Towards  the  Falls  of  Pa- 
towmack^  they  met  feveral  Parties  of  Indians  in  Canoes, 
loaded  with  the  Flefh  of  Bears,  Deer,  and  other  wild 
Beafts,  which  they  generoufly  imparted  to  them  ;  and  in 
divers  Places,  they  faw  that  Abundance  of  Fifh,  lying  with 
their  Heads  above  Water,  that  their  Barge  driving  among 
them,  for  Want  of  a  Net,  they  attempted  to  catch  them 
with  a  frying  Pan.  But  they  found  that  a  bad  Inftrument 
to  catch  Fiih. 

From  Patowmack  they  fet  Sail  for  Rappahanock^  or  as 
it  was  by  many  called,  Toppahanock  River  ;  where  the  Cap- 
tain intended  to  vifit  his  Captivity-Acquaintance.  But  their 
Boat,  by  Reafon  of  the  Lownefs  of  the  Tide,  ran  aground 
on  fome  Shoals,  at  the  Mouth  of  that  River,  where  they 
1^  F  fpied 


"The   History    of   VIRGINIA.      Book.  IL 

fpied  many  Fifta,  lurking  in  the  Sedge.  The  Captain  diverted 
himfelf  by  naiHng  them  to  the  Ground  with  his  Sword  ;  and 
J.  Ranliffe  j.j^g  j.^^  betaking  themfelves  to  the  fame  Sport,  they  took  more 
Fifh  in  an  Hour,  than  they  could  eat  in  a  day.  But  Captain 
Smithy  taking  from  his  Sword  a  Fifh,  like  a  Thornback, 
with  a  long  Tail,  in  the  Midft  of  which  was  a  poifoned 
Sting,  of  two  or  three  Inches  Length,  bearded  like  a  Saw 
on  each  Side,  (he  ftruck  her  Sting  into  his  Wrift  an  Inch 
and  a  half.  No  Blood  or  Wound  was  feen,  but  only  a  lit- 
tle blue  Spot ;  yet  fuch  was  the  Extremity  of  Pain,  and  his 
Hand,  Arm,  and  Shoulder,  were  fo  fwoln  in  four  Hours 
Time,  that  they  all,  with  much  Sorrow,  expected  his 
Death,  and  prepared  his  Grave  in  an  Ifland  by,  as  he  him- 
felf dire<5led.  But  it  pleafed  God,  by  the  Application  of  an 
Oil,  which  Dr.  Rujfel  had  with  him,  his  Torment  was  fo 
eafed  and  afTwaged  before  Night,  that  to  the  great  Joy  of 
the  Company,  he  eat  of  the  Fifh  for  his  Supper.  And  in 
Memory  of  this  Accident,  they  called  the  Ifle  Stingray  If- 
land^ after  the  Name  of  the  Fifh. 

Their  Provifions  being  near  fpent,  and  being  alfo  de- 
terred by  this  Misfortune,  they  fet  Sail  immediately  for 
'James-Town  ;  and  palling  by  the  Mouths  of  Piankatank  and 
Pamunkey  Rivers,  they  arrived  the  next  Day  at  Kicquotan. 
From  thence  they  proceeded  up  to  Warrafqueake  \  where 
trimming  their  Barge  with  painted  Streamers,  and  other  fuch 
Devices,  they  were  taken  for  a  Spanijh  Frigot  at  "James- 
Town^  where  they  arrived  the  2ifl  of  "July.  There  they 
found  the  lafl  Supply  of  Men  all  fick  ;  and  of  the  reft,  fome 
lame,  fome  bruifed,  and  all  in  a  Tumult  and  Uproar  againft 
the  unreafonable  Pride  and  Cruelty  of  the  President,  whom 
they  would  as  ftrangely  have  tormented  with  Revenge,  had 
it  not  been  for  this  feafonable  Arrival  of  the  Difcovery 
Barge.  He  had  riotoully  confumed  the  Store,  and  had 
greatly  harraffed  and  fatigued  the  People,  in  building  an 
unneceffary  Houfe  of  Pleafure  for  himfelf  in  the  Woods. 
But  their  Fury  was  much  appeafed,  by  the  good  News  of 
this  Difcovery,  and  by  the  Hopes,  from  fome  miftaken  In- 
terpretation of  the  Savage's  Account,  that  our  Bay  reached 
to  the  South-Sea^  or  fomewhere  near  it ;  but  above  all,  by 
the  depofing  RatcUffe^  and  Captain  Smithes,  taking  the  Go- 
vernment upon  himfelf. 
•VI.  c  -.1.  Smith  fubftituted  his  good  Friend  Mr.  Scrivener,  who 
Prefident.  then  lay  exceeding  ill  of  a  Calenture,  in  the  Prefidency  ; 
Mat.  &r;'- and  having  fettled  all  things  to  his  own,  and  the  People's 
^'"1.',^'""  Satisfadion,  he  ftaid  but  three  Days  at  James-Town.  For 
the  24th  of  July^  he  fet  forward,  with  twelve  Men,  to  fi- 
nifh  the  Difcovery  of  the  Bay.     They  were  detained  two 


Book  II.       T:he    History    of   VIRGINIA. 

or  three  Days  at  Kicquotan^  by  contrary  Winds,  where 
they  were  kindly  entertained  and  feafted  by  the  King,  and ' 
in  Diverfion  fired  feveral  Rockets,  which  greatly  terrified  ^'"-  . 
and  aftoniflied  the  poor  Savages.  From  thence  they  an-p/g^fj^^j 
chored,  the  firft  Night,  at  Stingray  Ifland  ;  and  the  next 
Day,  crofling  the  Mouth  of  Patowmack^  they  hafted  to 
the  River  Bolus.  A  little  beyond  that,  they  found  the  Bay 
divided  into  four  Streams,  all  which  they  fearched,  as  far 
as  they  could  fail.  Two  of  them  they  found  inhabited,  the 
Rivers  Sufquefahanock^  and  Tockwogh^  fince  called  Sajfafras 
River.  In  crofling  the  Bay,  they  met  feven  or  eight  Ca- 
noes, full  of  Majfawomecks.,  a  great  and  powerful  Nation 
of  Indians  inhabiting  upon  fome  of  the  Lakes  of  Canada., 
and  the  Original  perhaps  of  thofe,  at  prefent  known  by  the 
Name  of  the  Senecas  or  Six  Nations.  They  were  at  that 
Time  profeft  Enemies,  and  a  great  Terror,  to  the  Nations 
dwelling  on  the  upper  Part  of  our  Bay,  and  had  then  been 
at  War  with  the  Tockwoghs.  After  mutual  Threats  of  Af- 
fault  between  them  and  the  EngUJh.^  they  were  at  laft  in- 
duced to  go  on  board  the  Barge  ;  and  by  interchangeable 
Prefents  becoming  good  Friends,  they  departed  without 
farther  Intercourfe  or  Converfation. 

The  next  Day,  entering  the  River  Tockwogh.,  they  were 
invironed  with  a  Fleet  of  Canoes,  full  of  armed  Men.  But 
coming  to  a  Parley,  and  the  Tockwoghs  feeing  the  Majfa- 
womeck  Arms,  which  they  had  prefented  to  the  Englijh  the 
Day  before,  and  which  the  Englijh  made  them  believe, 
they  had  taken  in  War,  they  were  foon  reconciled,  and 
conduced  them  to  their  Town.  It  was  pallifadoed  round, 
mantled  with  the  Barks  of  Trees,  had  Scaffolds,  like 
Mounts,  and  was  breafted  very  formally.  The  Men,  Wo- 
men, and  Children  did  their  utmoft  to  exprefs  their  Affec- 
tion ;  and  welcomed  them  with  Songs,  Dances,  Fruits, 
and  Furs,  and  with  whatever  elfe  they  had.  Here  they 
faw  many  Hatchets,  Knives,  and  Pieces  of  Iron  and  Brafs, 
which,  they  told  them,  they  had  from  the  Sufquefahanocks^ 
a  mighty  Nation,  dwelling  on  the  chief  of  the  four  Bran- 
ches at  the  Head  of  the  Bay,  two  Days  Journey  above  the 
Falls  of  that  River.  They  prevailed  with  two  'Tockwoghs 
to  go  and  invite  fome  of  the  Sufquefah anocks  to  them.  In 
three  or  four  Days,  fixty  of  thofe  gigantic  People  came 
down,  with  Prefents  of  various  Kinds  ;  and  the  Wind  being 
two  high  for  their  Canoes,  five  of  their  chief  Werowances 
came  boldly  on  board  the  Englijh  Barge,  and  croffed  the 
Bay  to  Tockwogh. 

This  Nation  of  the  Sufquefah  anocks  could  mufter  a- 
bout  fix  Hi^dred   fighting   Men,  and  lived  in  pallifadoed 

F  2  Towns, 


rke   History    of   VIRGINIA.      Book  IL 

Towns,  to  defend  themfelves  againft  the  Majfawomecks^ 
their  mortal  Enemies.  They  were  very  large,  well-pro- 
portioned Men,  and  appeared  like  Giants  to  the  Englijh 
and  other  Indians  ;  yet  feemed  of  an  honeft  and  fimple  Dif- 
pofition,  and  were  fcarcely  reftrained  from  adoring  the  En- 
glijh^ as  Gods.  And  their  Language  and  Attire  were  very 
fuitable  to  their  Stature  and  Appearance.  For  their  Lan- 
guage founded  deep,  and  folemn,  and  hollow,  like  a  Voice 
in  a  Vault.  Their  Attire  was  the  Skins  of  Bears  and 
Wolves,  fo  cut,  that  the  Man's  Head  went  through  the 
Neck,  and  the  Ears  of  the  Bear  were  faftened  on  his  Shoul- 
ders, while  the  Nofe  and  Teeth  hung  dangling  down  upon 
his  Breaft.  Behind  was  another  Bear's  Face  fplit,  with  a 
Paw  hanging  at  the  Nofe.  And  their  Sleeves,  coming  down 
to  their  Elbows,  were  the  Necks  of  Bears,  with  their  Arms 
going  through  the  Mouth,  and  Paws  hanging  to  the  Nofes. 
One  had  the  Head  of  a  Wolf,  hanging  to  a  Chain,  for  a 
Jewel;  and  his  Tobacco  Pipe  was  three  Quarters  of  a  Yard 
long,  carved  with  a  Bird,  a  Deer,  and  other  Devices  at 
the  great  End  ;  which  was  fufficient  to  beat  out  a  Man's 
Brains.  They  meafured  the  Calf  of  the  largeft  Man's  Leg, 
and  found  it  three  Quarters  of  a  Yard  about,  and  all  the 
reft  of  his  Limbs  were  in  Proportion  ;  fo  that  he  feemed 
the  ftatlieft  and  moft  goodly  Perfonage,  they  had  ever  be- 
held. His  Arrows  were  five  Quarters  long,  headed  with 
the  Splinters  of  a  white  chryftal-like  Stone,  in  Form  of  a 
Heart,  an  Inch  broad,  and  an  Inch  and  half,  or  more,  long. 
Thefe  he  carried  at  his  Back,  in  a  Wolfs  Skin  for  his  Qui- 
ver, with  his  Bow  in  one  Hand,  and  his  Club  in  the  other. 
The  Manner  of  the  Englijh  was  daily  to  have  Prayers 
with  a  Pfalm  ;  at  which  Solemnity  thofe  poor  Barbarians 
wondered  greatly.  Prayers  being  done,  the  Sufquefahanocks 
held  a  Confultation  ;  and  then  began  in  a  very  paflionate 
Manner  to  hold  up  their  Hands  to  the  Sun,  with  a  moft 
frightful  Song.  Then  embracing  Captain  Stnith^  they  be- 
gan to  adore  him  in  like  Manner.  He  rebuked  them  for 
it ;  but  they  perfifted,  till  their  Song  was  finifhed.  After 
which,  with  a  ftrange  furious  A6lion,  and  a  difmal  Voice, 
they  began  an  Oration  of  their  Love  ;  which  ended,  they 
covered  him  with  a  large  painted  Bear's  Skin.  One  ftood 
ready  with  a  great  Chain  of  white  Beads,  weighing  fix  or 
feven  Pounds,  which  he  hung  about  his  Neck.  The  others 
had  eighteen  Mantles,  made  of  divers  Sorts  of  Skins  fewed 
together  ;  all  which,  with  many  other  Baubles,  they  laid  at 
his  Feet,  ftroaking  their  Hands  about  his  Neck,  for  his  Cre- 
ation to  be  their  Governor  and  Protector.  They  promifed 
him  Aids  of  Men  and  Vi6luals,  and  even  ofFared  all,  that 

they 


Book  II.     "l^he   History   ^/VIRGINIA.  69 

they  had,   if  he  would   ftay  with   them,  to  defend  and  re-      1608. 

venge  them  on  the  Majfawomecks.      But  he  was  obHged  to  ' ^-—^ 

leave  them  at  Tockwogh^  very  forrowful  for  his  Departure  ;  ^^"J^^'I'"' 
yet    promifed    to  vifit   them    again  the  next  Year.     They  p^"^jg„'j_^ 
knew   nothing   of  Powhatan   and   his   Territories,   but   the 
Name  ;  and  they  informed  the  Englijh^  that  their  Hatchets 
and  other  Commodities   came  originally  from  the  French  of 
Canada. 

Having  fearched  all  the  Rivers  and  Inlets,  worth 
Note,  they  paffed  down  the  Bay,  naming  all  the  remark- 
able Head-lands  and  Places  after  fome  of  the  Company  or 
their  Friends.  On  the  River  Patuxen  they  found  the  Peo- 
ple tradable  and  civil  above  all  others.  They,  as  well  as 
the  Patowmacks^  were  very  urgent  with  Smith  to  revenge 
them  on  the  Majfawomecks.,  which  he  promifed  to  do,  but 
was  afterwards  crofTed  in  his  Purpofe.  For  depending  upon 
the  Afliftance  and  Provifions  of  thofe  two  Nations,  and  of 
the  Sufquefahanocks.,  he  was  very  willing  to  hazard  his  Per- 
fon  in  the  Expedition  ;  and  therefore,  after  his  Return,  he 
petitioned  the  Council  for  forty  Men,  to  efFe6t  fuch  a  Con- 
queft  and  Difcovery.  But  the  Council,  envying  his  In- 
duftry  and  Succefs,  and  deterred  perhaps  alfo  by  the  Diffi- 
culty of  the  Undertaking,  refufed  to  rifque  the  Lives  of  fo 
many  Men,  in  fo  long  and  fo  dangerous  an  Enterprife. 

In  the  Difcovery  of  Rappahanock  River,  they  were 
kindly  received  and  entertained  by  the  People  of  Moraugh- 
tacund.  Here  they  met  with  an  old  Friend  and  Acquain- 
tance, one  Mofco.,  a  lufty  Indian  of  Wighcocomoco  on  the 
River  Patowinack.  They  fuppofed  him  fome  Frenchman^ 
Son,  becaufe,  he  had  a  thick,  black,  bufhy  Beard,  and  the 
Indians  feldom  have  any  at  all.  And  he  was  not  a  little 
proud  of  this,  and  to  fee  fo  many  of  his  Countrymen.  He 
was  very  officious  and  ufeful  to  the  Englifi  ;  and  advifed 
them,  by  all  Means  not  to  pafs  over  to  the  Rappahanocks., 
who  would  certainly  kill  them  for  being  Friends  with  the 
Moraughtacunds.,  who  had  lately  ftolen  three  of  their 
King's  Women.  But  thinking,  he  only  faid  this  to  fecure 
their  Trade  to  his  Friends,  they  croffed  the  River  to  the 
Rappahanocks.  There,  under  pretence  of  Trade,  they  were 
invited  up  Rappahanock  Creek,  where  they  had  laid  an  Am- 
bufh  ;  and  after  a  fmart  Skirmifh,  in  which  many  Indians 
were  flain  and  wounded,  the  Englijh  came  ofF  Victors  with- 
out the  leaft  Hurt.  Having  driven  them  up  into  the  Woods, 
they  feized  three  or  four  Canoes,  full  of  Commodities, 
which,  with  fome  Arrows,  they  had  gathered  up,  they 
prefented  to  Mofco  for  his  Kindnefs.  And  he,  on  his  Part, 
received  them  in  the  moft  triumphant  Manner,  and  in  the 

F  3  beft 


70  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  11. 

1608.     beft  martial    Order  under  Arms,  that  he  could  procure  of 
^""""V""^  the  Moraughtacunds. 

Matt.  Scri-  They  fpent  the  reft  of  the  Day  in  fitting  up  their 
PrefidenT'  ^^^^  with  a  Brcaft-worlc  of  Majfawomeck  Targets,  which 
they  had  received  from  them,  as  Prefents,  at  the  Head  of 
the  Bay,  and  which  had  been  of  fingular  Ufe  in  the  Battle 
with  the  Rappahanocks.  They  were  made  of  fmall  Twigs, 
woven  together  fo  firmly  with  ftrings  of  wild  Hemp  and 
Silk-grafs,  that  no  Arrow  could  pofliblv  pierce  them.  The 
next  Morning,  they  fet  Sail  up  the  River  ;  and  Mofco  fol- 
lowed along  the  Shore,  and  at  laft  defired  to  go  with  them 
in  the  Boat.  As  they  pafled  by  Pifacack^  Matchopeake^  and 
Mecuppom^  three  Towns,  fituate  on  the  North  Side  of  the 
River,  on  high,  white,  clay  Clifts,  with  a  low  Marfh  over 
againft  them,  and  the  River  but  narrow  (the  Place,  where 
the  Brijiol  Works  now  are)  thirty  or  forty  Rappahanocks 
had  fo  difguifed  themfelves  with  Branches,  that  they  took 
them  for  little  Bufties,  growing  in  the  Sedge.  They  faw 
their  Arrows  often  ftrike  againft  the  Targets,  and  drop 
into  the  River  ;  and  at  laft  Mofco^  falling  flat  on  his  Face 
in  the  Boat,  cried  out  ;  The  Rappahanocks.  They  soon  per- 
ceived them  to  be  the  Bufhes  in  the  Sedge,  which  at  the 
firft  Volley  fell  down.  And  when  they  had  pafled  about 
half  a  Mile  further,  they  again  ftiewed  themfelves.  Tinging 
and  dancing  very  merrily.  But  they  were  kindly  treated 
by  the  reft  of  the  Nations  to  the  Falls,  and  they  even  ufed 
their  utmoft  Intereft  with  Mofco.^  to  bring  the  Englijh  to 
them.  Between  Secobeck.,  on  the  South,  and  Majfawteck.^ 
on  the  North  Side  of  the  River,  there  was  a  fmall  Ifland  or 
two,  which  made  the  River  broader,  than  ordinary.  Here 
Mr.  Richard  Fetherjione^  one  of  their  Company  died  ;  who, 
from  his  firft  coming  to  the  Country,  had  behaved  himfelf  ho- 
neftly,  valiantly,  and  induftrioufly.  They  buried  him  in  a  little 
Bay,  which  they  then  called  Fetherjione's,  Bay.,  with  a  Volley 
of  their  Arms.  But  the  reft  of  the  laft  Supply,  who  had,  on 
the  Expedition,  been  miferably  fick  and  harrafled  with  their 
Seafoning,  had  by  this  time  perfe6lly  recovered  their  Health. 
The  next  Day,  they  failed  up  as  high,  as  their  Boat 
could  go,  fetting  up  Crofles,  and  carving  their  Names  on 
the  Trees  ;  which  they  conftantly  did  at  all  the  higheft 
Places,  they  went  to.  As  they  ranged  about  at  the  Falls, 
the  Sentinel  faw  an  Arrow  fall  by  him;  and  giving  the  A- 
larm,  they  perceived  about  an  hundred  nimble  Indians., 
fkipping  from  Tree  to  Tree,  and  letting  fly  their  Arrows  as 
faft,  as  they  could.  But  after  half  an  Hour's  Skirmifli,  they 
all  vaniflied  as  fuddenlv,  as  they  came.  As  the  Englijh  re- 
turned  from  the  Purfuit,  they   found   an    Indian.,   lying  as 

dead, 


Book  II.       The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

dead,  (hot  in  the  Knee.  Mofco^  who  had  been  of  great 
Service  in  the  Battle,  was  as  furious  to  beat  out  his' 
Brains,  as  ever  Dog  was  againft  a  Bear.  But  prote6ling  ^'^"-  "^f '■ 
him  from  his  Rage,  and  carrying  him  to  the  Surgeon,  who  prefidentr 
attended  to  cure  the  Captain's  Hurt  of  the  Stingray,  he 
was  within  an  Hour  fo  far  recovered,  that  he  both  eat  and 
fpoke.  He  was  Brother  to  the  King  of  HaJJlninga^  one 
of  the  four  Nations  of  the  Mannahocks.  Thefe  were  a  Peo- 
ple, dwelling  above  the  Falls  of  Rappahanock^  Neighbours  to, 
and  in  ftri6l  Friendfhip  and  Alliance  with  the  Manakins  a- 
gainft  Powhatan  and  his  Territories.  For  the  Manakins 
were  not  confined  to  one  Place  or  Town,  as  is  vulgarly 
thought,  but  fpread  all  that  Country,  from  a  fmall  Diflance 
above  the  Falls  of  'James  River  up  to  the  Mountains,  in  fe- 
veral  Towns  ;  and  they  were  the  Heads  or  Chiefs  of  the 
League  and  Confederacy  of  the  upland  and  mountain  Indians 
againft  the  Power  and  Tyranny  of  Powhatan.  Thefe 
Mannahocks.,  their  Neighbours  and  Allies,  lived  on  fmall 
Streams,  in  a  hilly  Country,  chiefly  by  hunting  ;  and  were 
then  come  down  to  fifh  at  Mohafkahod.,  a  fmall  hunting 
Town,  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Falls  of  Rappahanock.,  and 
the  Boundary  between  them  and  the  Nantaughtacunds.,  a 
large  Nation  on  the  navigable  River,  below  the  Falls.  The 
EngUJh  afked  their  Prifoner  ;  Why  they  had  endeavoured 
to  deftroy  them,  who  came  to  them  in  Peace,  to  feek  their 
Friendfhip.  He  anfwered,  that  they  heard,  the  EngUJh 
were  a  People,  come  from  under  the  World,  to  take  their 
World  from  them.  Being  afked  ;  how  many  Worlds,  he 
knew,  he  faid,  he  knew  none  but  that,  which  was  under 
the  Sky,  that  covered  him,  and  which  confifted  of  the 
Powhatans.,  the  Manakins.^  and  the  Majfawomecks.  And 
he  told  them,  that  the  laft  dwelt  on  a  great  Water,  had 
many  Boats,  and  fo  many  Men,  that  they  warred  on  all 
the  World  befides.  After  many  other  Queftions  concern- 
ing the  Country,  efpecially  beyond  the  great  Mountains,  to 
which  he  could  give  no  fatisfaftory  Anfwers,  they  prefented 
him  with  fome  Toys,  and  perfuaded  him  to  go  along  with 
them.  But  he  prefled  them  much  to  ftay  the  coming  of 
the  Mannahock  Kings,  who,  for  their  good  Ufage  to  him, 
fhould  be  their  Friends.  And  notwithftanding  Mofco\  eager 
Reprefentations  to  be  gone,  they  refolved  to  ftay  till  Night, 
preparing  themfelves  to  entertain,  whatever  ftiould  come. 

All  this  while  the  King  of  Hajfininga  was  feeking  the 
reft,  and  held  a  long  Confultation,  what  to  do.  When  the 
EngUJh  had  weighed,  and  were  gone,  they  followed  them 
all  Night,  yelling,  and  hollowing,  and  {hooting  their  Arrows, 
and  would   come  to   no   Terms  or  Difcourfe.      But  in  the 

F  4  Morn- 


The   History   ?/^  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

Morning,  being  brought  to  a  Parley,  Amoroleck^  the  Prifo- 
ner,  held  a  long  Difcourfe  with  them.      He  told  them,  how 

Matt.  Sen-  gQQ(j  j;he  Engli/h  were,  and  how  kindly  they  had   ufed   him  ; 

Prefident  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^  Patowfuock  with  them,  that  loved  them  as 
his  Life,  and  would  have  (lain  him,  had  they  not  prevented 
it  ;  and  that  he  might  have  his  Liberty,  if  they  would  be 
Friends  ;  to  which  he  advifed  them  by  all  means,  fince  to 
do  them  any  Hurt  was  impoflible.  Upon  this  they  all  hung 
their  Bows  and  Quivers  upon  the  Trees  ;  and  one  came 
fwimming  aboard  with  a  Bow  tied  on  his  Head,  and  ano- 
ther with  a  Quiver  of  Arrows.  Having  prefented  them  to 
the  Captain,  he  ufed  them  very  kindly,  and  told  them,  that 
the  other  three  Kings  {hould  do  the  fame,  and  then  the 
great  King  of  his  World  fliould  be  their  Friend.  This  was 
no  fooner  demanded,  than  performed  ;  and  fo  going  afliore 
on  a  low  morafs  Point  of  Land,  thofe  four  Kings  came, 
and  received  Amoroleck.  And  after  many  mutual  Civilities 
and  Prefents,  the  Engli/h  departed,  leaving  four  or  five 
hundred  Mannahocks.  fino-ina;,  and  dancing,  and  making 
loud  and  barbarous  Rejoicings. 

In  their  Return  down  the  River  they  vifited  all  their 
Friends,  who  rejoiced  much  at  their  Vidtory  over  the  Man- 
nahocks. By  their  Intreaty,  Captain  Smith  was  induced  to 
make  Peace  with  the  Rappahatiocks  ;  upon  Condition,  that 
thev  fhould  prefent  him  the  King's  Bow  and  Arrows,  and 
not  offer  to  come  armed,  where  he  was ;  and  that  they 
fhould  be  Friends  with  the  Moraughtacunds^  his  Friends, 
and  give  their  King's  Son  a  Hoftage  for  the  Performance. 
Accordingly,  the  King's  of  Nantaughtacund  and  Pifafack 
met  the  Englifh  at  the  Place,  where  they  firft  fought. 
There  the  King  of  Rappahanock  prefented  his  Bow  and  Ar- 
rows, and  performed  all,  they  demanded,  except  the  de- 
livering his  Son.  For  having  no  other,  he  faid,  he  could 
not  live  without  him  j  and  he  offered  in  his  Stead,  to  give 
up  the  three  Women,  which  the  Moraughtacunds  had 
ftolen  from  him.  This  was  accepted  ;  and  the  Women 
being  brought.  Captain  S?nith  prefented  each  of  them  with 
a  Chain  of  Beads.  Then  caufing  the  King  of  Rappahanock^ 
of  Moraughtacunds,  and  Mofco  to  ftand  before  him,  he  bid 
the  King  of  Rappahanock  take  her,  he  loved  beft,  Mo- 
raughtacund  to  chufe  next,  and  to  Mofco  he  gave  the  third. 
And  thus  was  the  Peace  concluded  and  celebrated  with 
feafting,  finging,  and  dancing.  And  Mofco.,  to  exprefs  his 
Love  to  the  Englifh.,  changed  his  Name  to  Uttafatitafough., 
which  fignified  in  their  Language,  Stranger^  and  was  the 
Name,  by  which  they  called  the  Englifh.  And  then  all 
the  Indians.,  promifing  to  be  always  their  Friends,  and   to 

plant 


Book  II.     rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

plant  Corn  purpofely  for  them;  and  the  Englijh^  on  their 

Side,   to  provide   Hatchets,   Beads,  and   Copper  for  them  ; 

they  departed,  giving  them  a   Volley  of  their  Fire-Arms,  '^^'^"-  ^V' 

which  they  returned  with  as  loud  Shouts  and  Cries,  as  their  pj.gfj(jgjjj  " 

Strengths  could  utter. 

That  Night  they  anchored  in  the  River  P'lankatank^ 
and  difcovered  it,  as  high  as  it  was  navigable.  But  the 
People  were  gone  out  to  hunting,  except  a  few  old  Men, 
Women,  and  Children,  that  were  tending  their  Corn.  Of 
thefe  they  obtained  a  Promife  of  Part,  when  they  fhould 
fetch  it ;  as  they  had  likewife  done  of  all  the  Nations, 
where-ever  they  had  been.  Going  from  thence  to  Point 
Comfort^  they  where  in  a  Bay  on  the  South  of  the 
Mouth  of  York  River,  then  called  Gofnold''s  Bay^  furprifed, 
in  the  Night,  with  fuch  a  fudden  Guft  of  Thunder  and 
Rain,  that  they  never  expe6led  more  to  fee  'James-Town. 
But  difcerning  the  Land  by  the  Flafhes  of  Lightening,  they 
avoided  fplitting  on  the  Shore  ;  till,  by  the  Help  of  the 
fame  Light,  they  found  Poiyit  Comfort.^  where  they  landed, 
and  refrefhed  themfelves  the  reft  of  the  Night. 

Having  difcovered  fo  many  Nations  at  a  Diftance, 
they  thought  it  highly  proper  and  neceflary  to  know  their 
near  Neighbours,  the  Chefapeakes  and  Nandfamonds^  of 
whom  they  had,  as  yet,  only  heard.  Therefore  fetting  Sail 
for  the  Southern  Shore,  they  entered  a  narrow  River,  then 
called  Chefapeake.,  but  now  Elfabeth.,  on  which  the  Town 
of  Norfolk  ftands.  It  had  a  good  Channel,  but  fome  Shoals 
about  the  Entrance.  They  failed  up  fix  or  feven  Miles, 
and  faw  two  or  three  little  Garden-plots  with  Houfes,  and 
the  Shores  overgrown  with  the  largeft  Pines,  they  had  ever 
feen  in  the  Country.  But  neither  feeing,  nor  hearing  any 
People,  and  the  River  being  very  narrow,  they  returned 
back,  and  coafted  the  Shore  towards  Nandfamond^  which 
they  found  to  be  chiefly  Oyfter-Banks.  At  the  Mouth  of 
Nandfamond^  they  fpied  fix  or  feven  Indians^  making  their 
Weirs,  who  prefently  fled.  But  the  Englijh  went  aftiore, 
and  threw  divers  Toys,  where  they  were  working,  and  fo 
departed.  They  were  not  gone  far,  before  the  Indians  re- 
turned, and  began  to  fing,  and  dance,  and  call  them  back. 
One  of  them  came  voluntarily  into  their  Boat,  and  invited 
them  up  the  River  to  his  Houfe,  which  was  in  a  little 
Ifland,  where  (as  well  as  on  the  main  Land  againft  it)  they 
faw  many  and  large  Corn-fields.  He  treated  them  with 
great  Civility,  and  they  in  return,  prefented  him,  his 
Wife,  and  Children,  with  fuch  Toys,  as  highly  pleafed 
them.  By  that  time  the  others  being  come,  invited  them 
higher  up  the  River,  under  Pretence  of  going  to  their 
12  Houfes 


74  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1708.     Houfes  likewife.      But  thev  foon  found,  that  they  only  in- 

' r—^  tended   to  decov  them   up  into  the  Narrows  of  the  River, 

Mat.  Sen-  where  the  whole  Nations  of  the  Nanfamonds  and  Chefapeakes 
p^ggjg^"' were  in  Ambufh  to  receive  them.  Having  difcovered  the 
Treachery,  they  made  the  beft  of  their  Way  down  into 
the  Open,  amidift  the  Shot  of  three  or  four  Hundred  Indi- 
ans., which  they  returned  from  their  Mufkets  with  fuch  Ef- 
fect, that  they  foon  made  them  glad  to  take  Shelter  behind 
the  Trees.  Above  an  hundred  Arrows  ftuck  in  their  Breafl:- 
work  of  Maffaivomeck  Targets,  and  about  the  Boat,  yet 
none  was  hurt.  Only  Jttthony  Bagnall.,  the  Surgeon,  was 
fhot  in  his  Hat,  and  another  in  the  Sleeve.  Having  gained 
the  Open  againft  the  Ifland,  thev  feized  on  all  their  Canoes, 
and  refolved,  upon  Confultation,  to  burn  every  thing  on  the 
Ifland  at  Night.  In  the  mean  while,  they  began  to  cut  to 
Pieces  their  Canoes  ;  at  the  Sight  of  which  the  Indians  threw 
down  their  Arms,  and  fued  for  Peace  ;  which  the  Englijh 
granted,  on  Condition,  thev  would  bring  their  King's  Bow 
and  Arrows,  with  a  Chain  of  Pearl ;  and  fhould,  when 
they  came  back  again,  give  them  four  hundred  Bafkets  of 
Corn.  Otherwife  they  threatened,  to  break  all  their  Ca- 
noes, to  burn  their  Houfes  and  Corn,  and  to  deftroy  all, 
that  they  had.  To  thefe  Conditions  the  Indians  moft  joy- 
fullv  agreed  ;  and  flocking  down  in  great  Numbers  with 
their  Baflcets,  they  foon  loaded  the  Boat  with  Corn,  and 
fo  parted  good  Friends. 

And  thus  having  viewed  and  reconnoitred  all  the  Places 
on  the  Bav,  one  of  the  finefl:  perhaps  and  moft  commodious 
Countries  in  the  World,  which  Nature  feems  to  have  form- 
ed for  one  noble  and  complete  Dominion,  but  which  is  fince 
unhappily  divided  by  the  large  Grant  to  the  Lord  Baltimore.^ 
and  having  pafled  about  three  thoufand  Miles,  according  to 
their  own  Computation,  in  that  fmall  and  open  Boat,  and 
in  the  Midft  of  many  barbarous  and  favage  Nations,  they 
returned  with  Joy  and  Triumph  to  faynes-Town^  where 
they  arrived  fafe  the  7th  of  September.,  1608.  There  they 
found  Mr.  Scrivener.,  and  feveral  others,  well  recovered  ; 
fome  fick  ;  many  dead  ;  the  late  Prefident  a  Prifoner  for 
Mutiny  ;  and  the  Corn,  by  Mr.  Scrivener's  honeft  Diligence, 
gathered  ;  but  the  Provifions  in  the  Store  much  injured  by 
the  Rain. 

But  whilft  Captain  Smith  and  others  were  thus  induftri- 
oufly  engaged  in  making  good  this  Settlement,  the  Second 
or  Northern  Colony,  granted  by  the  Letters  patent  to  the 
Town  of  Plimouth  and  others,  was  embraced  and  under- 
taken by  feveral  Perfons  of  Fortune  and  Diftindion,  and 
particularly  by  Sir  John  Popham,  Lord  Chief-Juftice  of  En- 
gland. 


Book  II.     ^he   History   of  VIRGINIA.  75 

gland.      He  was  a  Gentlemen  of  one  of  the  greateft  Families      1608. 

in  the  IFeJi  of  England^  but  is  memorable  to  all   Pofterity  ' > 

for  his  infamous  Partiality  and  Injuftice  in  the  Trial  of  Sir^"^'-  '^'^'■'- 
tValter  Ralegh.  However,  he  was  a  Perfon,  at  that  Time,  1'"^f,J^^^' 
of  great  Power  and  Intereft,  and  in  high  Efteem  with  ma- 
ny for  Wifdom  and  Virtue  ;  and  having  procured  Men  and 
Money,  he  fent  Captain  George  Popharn^  as  Prefident,  Cap- 
tain Ralegh  Gilbert^  as  Admiral,  and  many  other  Gentle- 
men in  feveral  Pofts  and  Offices,  with  an  hundred  Men,  to 
poflefs  and  fettle  the  Country.  They  fet  Sail  from  Pli- 
mouth^  the  laft  oi  May.,  1607,  and  fell  in  with  fome  Iflands, 
then  called  Monahigan.  From  thence  they  proceeded  to 
the  Continent,  and  fettled  upon  a  very  barren  and  rocky 
Coaft,  at  the  Mouth  of  Sagadahock.,  a  large  navigable  River, 
which  muft  be  either  the  River  Saco  in  New-England.,  or 
elfe  St.  fuan  in  Acadia.  But  that  Winter  was  fo  extreme- 
ly cold  and  frozen,  that  they  could  not  range  much  about, 
nor  fearch  the  Country  ;  and  their  Provifion  was  fo  fcanty, 
that  they  were  obliged  to  fend  all,  except  forty  five  of  their 
Company  back.  Captain  Popham.,  their  Prefident,  died 
foon  ;  and  not  long  after,  they  were  informed  by  the  Ships 
that  brought  them  Supplies,  of  the  Death  of  the  two  prin- 
cipal Promoters  and  Supporters  of  the  Undertaking,  the 
Lord  Chief-Juftice  Popham.,  and  Sir  fohn  Gilbert.  This 
laft  Gentleman,  who  was  Brother,  or  perhaps  rather  Ne- 
phew, to  the  famous  Sir  Humphry  Gilbert.,  before-men- 
tioned, was  chofen  Prefident  of  the  Council  for  the  Nor- 
thern Colony.  His  Brother,  Captain  Ralegh  Gilbert.,  Ad- 
miral of  this  Colony,  fucceeding  to  his  Eftate,  was  obliged 
to  return  to  England.,  to  enter  upon  his  Inheritance,  and 
take  Care  of  his  Affairs.  And  the  reft  alfo,  being  doubtful 
of -proper  Affiftance  and  Encouragement,  and  having  no 
Profped:  in  the  Country,  but  of  the  moft  extreme  Mifery 
and  Famine,  all  returned  to  England  th'isY  ear  1608.  And 
thus  was  this  Plantation  begun  and  ended  in  one  Year;  and 
that  vaft  Grant,  in  which  lay  large  Tra£ls  of  fine  and  no- 
ble Country,  was  ftigmatized  in  the  Grofs,  and  defpifed, 
as  a  cold,  barren,  mountainous,  and  rocky  Defert. 

About  this  Time  alfo,  Captain  Henry  Hudfon  difco- 
vered  Long-I/land.,  New-Tork.,  Hudfon'?,  River,  and  the 
Parts  adjacent.  As  the  Englijh  were  bufily  employed  in 
their  own  Difcoveries  and  Settlements,  he  could  hope  for 
but  little  Advantage  from  his  own  Country  ;  and  therefore 
he  applied  himfelf  to  the  States-General  of  the  United  Pro- 
vinces, and  fold  this  important  Difcovery  to  them.  But 
this  Sale  was  always  excepted  againft  by  the  Englijh.,  as  the 
Difcovery  was  made  by  his  Majefty's  Commiflion,  and  the 

Sale 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IL 

Sale  pafled  without  the  King's  Confent,  to  whom,  of  Right, 
all  new  Lands  and  Difcoveries  belong.  However,  the  Dutch 
crept  in  by  Degrees,  built  new  Amfierdam^  and  other  Towns, 
ftrongly  fortified  themfelves,  planted,  and  became  a  flourifh- 
ing  Colony. 

Doctor  Whitgift^  Arch-Bifhop  of  Canterbury^  a  Man 
of  a  mild  and  gentle  Difpofition,  having  died  four  Years  be- 
fore this,  was  fucceeded  in  that  high  Preferment  by  Dr. 
Richard  Bancroft^  a  Perfon  of  a  quite  different  Temper. 
He  had  very  high  Notions  with  Relation  to  the  Government 
of  both  Church  and  State  ;  and  was  accordingly  a  great 
Stickler  for,  and  Promoter  of,  the  King's  abfolute  Power,  and 
failed  not  to  take  all  Occafions,  to  oblige  the  Puritans  to  con- 
form to  the  Church  of  England.  This  Prelate's  Harfhnefs 
and  Warmth  caufed  many  of  that  People  to  take  the  Refo- 
lutlon  this  Year  of  fettling  themfelves  in  Virginia^  and  fome 
were  actually  come  off  for  that  Purpofe.  But  the  Arch- 
bifliop  finding,  that  they  were  preparing  in  great  Numbers 
to  depart,  obtained  a  Proclamation  from  the  King,  forbid- 
ding any  to  go,  without  his  Majefty's  exprefs  Leave.  And 
this  was  the  more  readilv  granted,  as  the  Court  mortally 
hated  that  Secft,  and  were  now  afraid,  that  they  would  be- 
come too  numerous  and  too  powerful  in  Virginia. 
John  Smith  \  ^  Virginia.^  on  the  loth  of  September.,  by  the  Election  of 
Preident.  ^^^  Council,  and  the  Requeft  of  the  Colony,  Captain  Stnith 
was  inverted  with  the  Government ;  which,  till  then,  he 
would  by  no  Means  accept,  tho'  often  importuned  to  it. 
And  now  the  building  of  KatcUff'e'%  Palace  was  flopped,  and 
Works  of  more  immediate  Ufe  and  Neceflity  undertaken. 
The  Church  was  repaired  ;  the  Store-houfe  new  covered  ; 
and  a  Place  made  ready  for  the  Reception  of  the  Supplies, 
they  daily  expected  from  England.  The  Fort  was  reduced 
into  Form  ;  the  Order  of  the  Watch  was  renewed;  the 
Troops  trained  at  each  Setting  of  the  Watch  ;  and  the 
whole  Company  every  Saturday  exercifed,  in  the  Plain  to- 
wards the  IVeJi.,  which  was  prepared  for  that  Purpofe,  and 
called  Smith  field ;  where  fometimes  above  an  hundred  In- 
dians would  ftand  in  Amazement,  to  behold  how  a  File 
would  batter  a  Tree,  where  the  Prefident  had  made  them 
a  Mark  to  fhoot  at.  And  now  being  the  Time  of  gathering 
Corn,  and  of  Plenty  among  the  Indians.,  the  Boats  were  trim- 
med for  Trade,  and  fent  out  under  the  Command  of  Lieute- 
nant P^r^f.  But  in  their  Way,  meeting  Captain  Neivport\N\\\\ 
the  fecond  Supply,  he  brought  them  back  to  'James-Town. 

Captain  Newport  was  in  reality  an  empty,  idle,  in- 
terefled  Man  ;  very  fearful  and  fufpicious  in  Times  of  Dan- 
ger and  Difficulty  ;  but  a  very  great  and  important   Perfon 

in 


Book  II.       The   History    <?/ VIRGINIA. 

in  his  own  Talk  and  Conceit.  He  had,  by  the  Advantage 
of  going  to  and  fro,  gained  fo  much  upon  the  Ear  and 
Confidence  of  the  Council  and  Company  in  England^  that  J''^'"  ^""'^ 
whatever  he  propofed,  was,  for  the  moft  part,  concluded 
and  refolved  on.  And  upon  this  Voyage,  he  obtained  a 
private  Commiffion,  not  to  return  without  a  Lump  of  Gold, 
a  Certainty  of  the  South-Sea^  or  one  of  the  loft  Company, 
fent  out  by  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.  Befides,  he  brought  an 
exprefs  Command,  to  difcover  the  Country  of  the  Mana- 
k'lns.,  with  a  Barge,  for  Conveniency  of  Carriage,  to  be 
taken  into  five  Pieces,  which  they  were  to  carry  beyond 
the  Falls,  to  convey  them  to  the  South-Sea.  He  likewife 
brought  over  a  Crown  for  Poivhatan.^  with  Orders  for  his 
Coronation,  and  Prefents  of  a  Bafon  and  Ewer,  Bed,  Bed- 
ftead,  Cloaths,  and  other  coftly  Novelties  ;  which  ftately 
Kind  of  Court  had  this  bad  Effect:,  that  it  made  him  value 
himfelf  too  much,  and  overrate  his  Favour,  which  they  had 
before  much  better  for  a  plain  Piece  of  Copper.  In  this 
Voyage  came  over  many  Perfons  of  Diftin(5tion  ;  Captain 
Peter  IFynne.,  and  Captain  Richard  Waldo.,  two  old  Soldiers 
and  valiant  Gentlemen,  both  appointed  of  the  Council;  Mr. 
Francis  Weji.,  Brother  to  the  Lord  Delawarr  ;  Ralegh  Cro- 
JJ^aiu.)  John  Rujfel.,  John  Codrington.,  Daniel  Tucker.^  Mr. 
Hunt^  Thomas  Forejl.,  and  others,  to  the  Number  of  feven- 
ty  Perfons.  In  this  Ship  likewife  arrived  Mrs.  Foreji.,  and 
Jmie  Burras.,  her  Maid,  the  firft  Englijhwomen  ever  in  this 
Country.  And  eight  Poles  and  Germans  were  fent,  to  make 
Pitch,  Tar,  Glafs,  Mills,  and  Soap-Afhes  ;  which,  when 
the  Country  was  replenifhed  with  People  and  Neceffaries, 
would  have  done  exceedingly  well,  but  in  that  their  infant 
State,  they  were  only  a  Burthen  and  Hindrance  to  the  reft, 
who  were  fufficiently  puzzled  and  employed  to  find  Sub- 
fiftance  for  themfelves. 

Captain  Smithy  whofe  Mind  was  folid  and  provident, 
and  plainly  forefaw  the  ill  Confequence  of  fpending  that  Time 
in  thefe  Projefts,  which  ought  to  be  employed  in  the  fpeedy 
Difpatch  of  the  Ship,  and  in  trading  and  laying  in  a  Store 
of  Provifions  for  the  Year,  was  much  mortified  and  per- 
plexed with  thefe  Orders,  and  ftrenuoufly  oppofed  their  Ex- 
ecution in  Council.  But  Newport  undertook  to  freight  the 
Bark  of  twenty  Tons  with  Corn,  in  going  and  returning 
from  the  Manakins  \  and  to  obtain  another  Load  for  her  of 
Powhatan.,  from  Werowocomoco.  He  alfo  promifed  a  large 
Proportion  of  Viftuals  from  the  Ship  ;  which  he  was  fo  far 
from  performing,  that  the  Colony  was  obliged  to  fpare  him 
three  Hogftieads  of  Corn  to  vi6lual  him  homeward.  In 
fhort,  he  reprefented  Smithes,  Oppofition,  as  a  mere  Device, 

to 


78  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1608.     to  hinder  his  Journey,  that  he  might  himfelf  effect  the  Dif- 

■"-'^. CO  very  ;  and  he  faid,  that  his  Cruelty  to  the  Indians  might 

7"^" ^"'"b  well  be  a  Means  to  hinder  thefe  Defigns,  and  to  make  them 
feek  Revenge.  Smith's  Opinion  being  therefore  over-ruled 
bv  the  unanimous  Voice  of  the  Council,  all  other  Works  and 
Defigns  were  laid  afide,  and  an  hundred  and  twenty  chofen 
Men  appointed  for  Neivporfs  Guard  on  the  Expedition. 

But  Smithy  to  clear  himfelf  of  thefe  Sufpicions,  and  to 
fhew,  that  the  Indians  were  not  fo  defperate,  as  was  pre- 
tended by  Newport^  and  how  willing  he  was  to  aflift,  as 
far  as  he  could,  undertook  himfelf  to  carry  their  Meflage 
to  Poiuhata7i^  and  to  invite  him  to  fames-'Toivn  to  receive 
his  Prefents.  And  taking  with  him  onlv  Captain  Waldo^ 
and  three  more,  he  went  acrofs  by  Land,  about  twelve 
Miles,  to  Werowocomoco^  where  he  pafl'ed  the  River  in  an 
hidian  Canoe.  Powhatan^  being  thirty  Miles  off,  was  im- 
mediately fent  for  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  Pocahontas  and 
her  Women  entertained  him  with  a  ftrange  Mafk  and 
barbarian  Piece  of  Revelry,  and  feaftcd  them  with  all  the 
favage  Dainties,  they  could  devife.  The  next  Day,  Poiv- 
hatan  came,  and  S?nith  delivered  his  Meflage,  together  with 
Namontack^  his  Servant,  whom  he  had  fent  to  England. 
And  he  defired  him  to  come  to  his  Father  Newport^  to  re- 
ceive his  Prefents,  and  to  enter  upon  Meafures  for  their 
effectual  Revenge  againfl  the  Manakins,  To  this  that  fub- 
tle  Barbarian  anfwered  :  'That  if  their  King  had  fent  hiyn  any 
Prefents^  he  aljo  was  a  King^  and  that  was  his  Land :  That 
he  ivould  Jiay  eight  Days^  to  receive  them :  That  Newport 
ought  to  come  to  him^  and  not  He  to  go  to  their  Fort^  which 
was  too  foolifh  a  Bait  to  he  taken :  That  as  to  the  Manakins, 
he  could  revenge  bis  own  Wrongs ;  and  for  any  fait  JVater 
beyond  the  Mountains.^  he  told  him,  that  all  the  Relations^  they 
had  received  from  his  People^  tuere  falje.  Whereupon  he 
began  to  draw  Plots  upon  the  Ground,  according  to  his 
Difcourfe,  of  all  thofe  Regions.  Many  other  complimen- 
tal  Difcourfes  pafl'ed  between  them  ;  and  fo  Smith  returned 
with  this  Anfwer  to  James-Town. 

Hereupon  the  Prefents  were  fent  round  by  Water, 
and  the  Captains  went  acrofs  by  Land,  with  a  Guard  of  fifty 
Men.  All  being  met  at  Werozvocomoco.,  the  next  Day  was 
appointed  for  his  Coronation.  Then  the  Prefents  were 
brought  ;  his  Bafon  and  Ewer,  Bed  and  Furniture,  were 
fet  up  ;  and  his  Scarlet  Cloak  and  Apparel,  with  much  ado, 
put  on  him,  being  perfuaded  by  Namontack.,  that  they  would 
not  hurt  him.  But  a  great  Coil  and  Trouble  there  was  to 
make  him  kneel,  to  receive  his  Crown.  He  neither  knew 
the  Majefly  of  a  Crown,  nor  the  Meaning  of  bending  the 

Knee, 


Book  11.     The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  79 

Knee,  which    obliged    them    to   ufe    fo    many  Perfuafions,      1608. 

Examples,  and  Inftru6lions,  as  tired  them  all.     At  laft,  by  , ' 

leaning  hard  on  his  Shoulders,  he  ftooped  a  little,  and  three,  J"'^"  ^'"''^ 
being  ready  with  the  Crown,  put  it  on  his  Head;  when,  ^"*' 

by  the  Warning  of  a  Piftol,  the  Boats  were  prepared  with 
fuch  a  Volley  of  Shot,  that  the  King  ftarted  up  in  a  hor- 
rible Fright,  till  he  faw,  all  was  well.  Then  recolle6ling 
himfelf,  to  return  their  Kindnefs,  he  gave  his  old  Shoes  and 
Mantle  to  Captain  Newport ;  and  finding  him  determined  to 
difcover  the  Manakim^  he  did  his  utmoft  to  divert  him  from 
his  Purpofe,  and  refufed  to  lend  him  either  Men  or  Guides, 
except  Namontack.  And  fo  after  fome  flight  Compliments 
on  both  Sides,  in  Requital  for  his  Prefents,  he  gave  Newport 
a  Heap  of  Ears  of  Corn,  which  might  contain  feven  or  eight 
Bufliels,  and  as  much  more  was  purchafed  in  the  Town, 
with  which  they  returned  to  the  Fort  at  'James-Town. 

Immediately  upon  their  Return,  Captain  Newport^ 
with  an  hundred  and  twenty  chofen  Men,  led  by  Captain 
IValdo^  Lieutenant  Percy.,  Captain  Wynne.,  Mr.  Weft.,  and 
Mr.  Scrivener.,  fet  forward  for  the  Difcovery  of  the  Mana- 
kins  \  leaving  the  Prefident  at  the  Fort,  with  eighty  or  ninety 
weak  and  fickly  Men,  to  load  the  Ship.  Arriving  at  the 
Falls,  they  marched  by  Land  about  forty  Miles,  and  found 
a  verv  fair,  fertile,  well-watered  Country.  Two  Towns 
of  the  Manakins  they  difcovered,  fituate  on  the  South  Side 
of  the  River.  The  People  ufed  them  neither  well  nor  ill  ; 
yet  for  their  Security,  they  took  one  of  their  petty  Kings, 
and  led  him  bound,  to  conducSl  them  the  Way.  In  their 
Return,  they  fpent  fome  Time  in  fearching  for  Mines,  hav- 
ing with  them  one  William  CalUcut.,  z  Refiner,  for  that 
Purpofe.  From  the  Cruft  of  Earth,  which  they  dug,  he 
perfuaded  them,  that  he  extracted  fome  fmall  Quantity  of 
Silver.  With  this  poor  Trial,  they  returned  down  the 
fame  Path,  they  went,  to  the  Falls ;  where  the  Indians 
feigned,  that  many  Ships  were  come  into  the  Bay,  to  kill 
the  Englijh  at  'James-Town.  But  as  for  their  Corn,  they 
had  hid  it  in  the  Woods,  and  could  by  no  Means  be  induced 
to  trade.  And  being  thus  deluded  and  difappointed,  they 
returned  to  James-Town^  half  fick,  and  all  complaining, 
being  fadly  harrafled  with  Toil,  Famine,  and  Difcontent. 

No  fooner  were  they  landed,  but  the  Prefident  difperfed 
as  many,  as  were  able,  fome  to  make  Glafs,  and  others 
for  Pitch,  Tar,  and  Soap-Afhes.  Leaving  them  at  the  Fort 
under  the  Councils  Care  and  Overfight,  he  himfelf  carried 
thirty  about  five  Miles  down  the  River,  to  learn  to  cut 
down  Trees,  make  Clapboard,  and  lie  in  the  Woods.  A- 
mong  thefe  he  chofe   Gabriel  Beadle  and   John  Rujfel.,  two 


fi 


ne 


8o  rhe   History   o/"  VIRGINIA.      Book  II. 

1608.  fine  and  proper  Gentlemen  of  the  laft  Supply.  Thefe 
'  Y-^-^were,  at  firft,  ftrange  Diverfions  for  Men  of  Pleafure. 
Prefidfr'^  Yet  they  lodged,  eat,  and  drank,  worked  or  played,  only 
as  the  Prefident  himfelf  did  ;  and  all  things  were  carried  fo 
pleafantly,  that  within  a  Week  they  became  Mafters,  and 
thirty  or  forty  of  fuch  voluntary  Gentlemen,  would  have 
done  more  in  a  Day  than  an  hundred  of  the  reft,  who  muft 
be  driven  to  it  by  Compulfion,  Being  inured  to  Labour  by 
thefe  means,  they  foon  made  it  their  Delight,  to  hear  the 
Trees  thunder,  as  they  fell ;  and  afterwards  became  very 
hardy,  ufeful,  and  refolute  Men,  efpecially  Mr.  Rujfel. 
But  the  Axes  often  bliftering  their  tender  Fingers,  they 
would,  at  everv  third  Stroke,  drown  the  Eccho,  with  a 
loud  Volley  of  Oaths.  To  remedy  which  Sin,  the  Prefi- 
dent ordered  every  Man's  Oaths  to  be  numbered,  and  at 
Night,  for  every  Oath,  to  have  a  Can  of  Water  poured 
down  his  Sleeve  ;  which  fo  wafhed  and  drenched  the  Of- 
fender, that  in  a  fhort  time,  an  Oath  was  not  heard  in  a 
Week. 

I N  the  mean  while,  Mr.  Scrivener^  Captain  Waldo^  and 
Captain  IVynne^  at  the  Fort,  each,  in  their  feveral  Way, 
carefully  regarded  their  Charge.  But  when  the  Prefident 
returned,  feeing  the  Time  confumed,  and  no  Provifions 
got,  and  that  the  Ship  lay  idle  at  a  great  Charge, 
and  did  nothing,  he  immediately  embarked  in  the  Dif- 
covery  Barge,  taking  with  him  eighteen  Men  and  another 
Boat,  and  leaving  Orders  with  the  Council,  to  fend 
Lieutenant  Percy  after  him,  with  the  next  Barge,  that  ar- 
rived at  the  Fort.  Going  into  Ch'ickahomlny^  the  Indians 
were  furly,  and  knowing  his  Wants,  with  much  Scorn  and 
Infolence  refufed  to  trade.  But  the  Prefident,  perceiving, 
it  was  Fowhata7i%  Policy  to  ftarve  the  EngUJh^  told  them, 
that  he  came  not  fo  much  for  Corn,  as  to  revenge  his  own 
Captivity  and  the  Death  of  his  two  Men  ;  which  he  pre- 
tended to  attribute  to  them.  And  fo,  landing  his  Aden, 
and  making  ready  to  charge  them,  they  immediately  fled. 
Soon  after  they  fent  Ambafladors,  with  Corn,  Fifh,  Fowl, 
and  whatever  elfe  they  had,  to  make  their  Peace.  Their 
Corn  being  that  Year  but  bad,  thev  complained  extremely 
of  their  own  Wants,  yet  freighted  their  Boats  with  an 
hundred  Bufhels,  and  in  like  manner  Lieutenant  Percy\^ 
that  not  long  after  arrived.  Returning  to  James-Town^  the 
Colony  was  much  pleafed  and  revived  by  this  feafonable 
Supply.  Yet  fuch  was  the  Malice  and  Envy  of  fome,  that 
they  had  rather  hazard  a  Starving,  than  that  Smith's  En- 
deavours fhould  prove  fo  much  more  effe6i:ual,  than  theirs. 
And  Newport  and  Ratclijfe  had  projected,  not  only  to  de- 

pofe 


Book  II.     "Tbe   History    of  VIRGINIA. 

pofe  him,  but  to   keep   him  out  of  the  Fort  ;  under   Pre- 
tence, that,  being  Prefident,  he  had  left  his   Place  and  the' 
Fort,  without  their  Confent.      But  their   Horns   were  too  J^'"'.'  ^'""^ 
{hort,    and    they    themfelves    narrowly    efcaped    a    greater 
Mifchief. 

All  this  while,  their  old  Tavern,  the  Ship,  made  as 
much  of  all  them,  that  had  either  Money  or  Ware,  as 
could  be  defired.  By  this  time,  they  were  become  perfedl 
on  all  Sides,  the  Sailers,  the  Soldiers,  and  the  Indians ;  and 
much  more  Care  was  taken,  to  maintain  their  private  and 
pernicious  Trade,  than  to  provide  things  neceflary  for  the 
Colony.  Newport  and  his  Mariners  had  fo  many  private 
Factors  at  the  Fort,  that  in  fix  or  feven  Weeks,  of  two  or 
three  hundred  Axes,  Hoes,  Pick-axes,  and  other  Inftru- 
ments  for  the  Ufe  of  the  Colony,  fcarce  twenty  could  be 
found  ;  and  for  Pike-heads,  Powder,  Shot,  or  any  thing 
elfe  they  could  fteal,  they  knew  well,  how  to  convey  them 
fecretly,  to  trade  with  the  Indians  for  Furs,  Bafkets,  young 
Beafts,  and  other  fuch-like  Commodities.  So  that,  altho' 
Virginia  afforded  no  Commodities  for  thofe,  who  were  at 
the  Expence  of  the  Settlement,  yet  thefe  Men  found  Means, 
by  thefe  indirect  Methods,  of  driving  on  a  very  profitable 
Trade.  And  thus,  by  their  falfe  Excufes,  Informations, 
and  Advices  in  England^  and  by  their  unlawful  Trade  here, 
the  Adventurers  were  coufened,  and  the  A£tion  almoft 
overthrown.  Upon  this  Account  therefore,  as  well  as  un- 
der Pretence,  that  his  Orders  were,  not  to  return,  without 
a  Lump  of  Gold,  a  Certainty  of  the  South-Sea^  or  one  of 
Sir  Walter  Ralegh's  loft  Company,  the  Prefident  had  once 
determined  to  fend  away  the  Ship,  and  to  oblige  Newport 
to  ftay  one  Year  in  the  Country,  to  learn  to  fpeak  of  his 
own  Experience.  But  upon  his  Submiflion  and  Acknow- 
ledgment, this  Puniftiment  was  remitted,  and  he  was  fuf- 
fered  to  return  to  England  in  the  Ship  ;  where,  it  is  not  to 
be  doubted,  but  that  he  reprefented  Matters  in  the  worft 
Light. 

It  is  certain,  that  the  Treafurer  and  Council  in  England 
were  greatly  disappointed  in  their  Hopes.  For  they  expe6l- 
ed,  upon  their  Difcoveries  in  America^  to  have  fpeedy  Re- 
turns, in  Gold  and  Silver,  and  fuch  other  rich  Commodi- 
ties, as  the  Spaniards  found  at  their  firft  Arrival.  But  Vir- 
ginia  is  not  a  Country  of  Mines.  It  is  formed  by  Nature 
for  producing  all  the  Neceflaries,  or  even  Elegancies  of 
Life,  to  as  high  a  Degree,  as  perhaps  any  other  Country 
whatfoever.  It  lies  under  the  fame  Clime,  as  fome  Parts 
of  Spain,  Italy,  and  Sicily,  and  is  a  Country  of  Plenty  and 
Abundance  ;  and  therefore,  in  the  End,  is  more  valuable, 
13  G  and 


82  The   History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1608.     and  even  richer,  than  thofe  Regions,  which  abound  in  Gold 

" — V and  Silver.     The  Truth  of  this  is  confirmed  by  Experience  ; 

John  Smith  3p(}  jj.  jg  ^j^  undeniable  Maxim  in  Politicks,  that  Commo- 
dities  of  the  firft  Neceflity,  or  fuch  as  are  of  abfolute  Ufe 
for  our  Subfiftance  and  the  Support  of  Life,  have  a  much 
greater  real  and  intrinfic  Value,  than  thofe,  which  only 
receive  an  imaginary  Worth,  by  Compadi  or  Agreement, 
and  are  wholly  deflgned,  as  a  Gage,  or  Meafure,  of  the 
real  and  intrinfic  Value  of  other  Commodities.  The  true 
Riches  therefore,  and  Power  of  every  Country,  depend 
upon  the  plentiful  Produ6tion  of  Corn,  Stocks,  Cloathing, 
and  other  fuch  Commodities  of  the  firft  Neceflity  ;  the 
Want  of  which  can,  by  no  means,  be  fupplied  by  ever  fo 
great  an  Abundance  of  Gold  and  Silver.  But  the  Want  of 
them,  on  the  contrary,  may  be,  and  often  have  been,  fup- 
plied, bv  ftamped  Leather,  Tallies,  Shells,  Paper,  or  other 
fuch  arbitrary  Reprefentations.  But  altho'  thefe  Necefla- 
ries  of  Life  are  of  this  greater  real  Value,  yet  they  are  not 
to  be  had  at  once.  Previous  Preparations  by  Culture,  Manu- 
facturing, Stocks,  and  other  Improvements,  are  necefiary  ; 
which  often  require  a  long  Time,  to  bring  them  to  any 
tolerable  Degree  of  Perfe&ion.  And  the  Englijh^  when 
they  firft  came  to  Virghiia^  happened  upon  a  Land,  juft  as 
God  had  made  it,  little  planted,  manured  or  improved. 
The  Inhabitants  were  an  idle,  improvident,  vagabond  Peo- 
ple ;  knowing  nothing  of  Gold  and  Silver,  and  other  valua- 
ble Commodities ;  and  carelefs  of  every  thing,  but  juft 
from  Hand  to  Mouth. 

But  however  free  they  might  be  from  Blame,  the 
Council  in  England  were  certainly  very  much  fretted  with 
the  Difappointment,  and  by  this  Ship,  wrote  the  Prefident 
a  very  angry  Letter.  They  complained  of  the  vain  Hopes, 
they  had  been  fed  with,  and  very  fmall  Proofs ;  and  of 
their  Factions  and  filly  Proje6ts  about  dividing  the  Country, 
concerning  which  the  late  Prefident  and  his  Fa£lion  had 
written  fome  idle  Story  to  the  Earl  of  Salijhury^  at  that 
time  chief  Minifter  of  State.  And  they  threatened,  unlefs 
the  Charge  of  this  Voyage,  amounting  to  about  two  thou- 
fand  Pounds,  was  defrayed  by  the  Ship's  Return,  they 
fhould  be  deferted,  and  left  to  remain  here,  as  baniflied 
Men.  To  this  Letter  Captain  Smith  gave  a  very  plain  and 
foldierly  Anfwer  by  the  Ship,  which  was  at  length  dif- 
patched,  with  the  Trials  of  Pitch,  Tar,  Glafs,  Frankin- 
cenfe,  and  Soap-Aflies,  and  with  what  Wainfcot  and  Clap- 
board could  be  provided.  In  it  he  endeavoured  to  lay  open 
to  them  the  Caufes,  that  kept  them  from  laying  fuch  a 
Foundation,  as  might  have  given   better  Satisfaction  ;  and 

advifes 


Prefident. 


Book  II.     rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.  83 

advifes  them   againft  expelling  any   profitable    Returns   at      1608. 

prefent.      He  declares  his  own  Integrity  and  Sincerity  to-"" — ^.' ' 

wards  them,  and  warns  them  againft  fome  Perfons,  who  J"'-"'  ^'"'''^ 
caufed  them  to  believe  much  more,  than  was  true.  He 
tells  them,  that  their  Dire6lions  by  Newport  had  been  fol- 
lowed, altho'  he  himfelf  was  dire6lly  againft  them,  as  they 
were  very  prejudicial  and  to  the  imminent  Hazard  of  the 
whole  Colony,  which  was  then,  when  it  was  too  late,  ge- 
nerally confefted.  He  complains  of  Newport^  expofes  the 
Vanity  and  ill  Confequences  of  his  Projefts,  his  Lingering  in 
the  Country,  the  good  Cheer  and  Luxury  of  him  and  the  Sailers, 
and  their  Embezzlement  of  the  publick  Stores.  For  of  the 
two  thoufand  Pounds,  which  this  Ship  coft  them,  he  af- 
fures  them,  that  the  Colony  had  not  Received  the  Value  of 
an  hundred  Pounds.  He  blames  Ratcliffe^  Archer^  and 
others,  as  the  Authors  of  their  Factions  and  Difturbances  ; 
and  tells  them,  that  he  had  fent  Ratcliffe^  a  counterfeit  Im- 
poftor,  whofe  right  Name  was  Sicklemore^  home,  left  the 
Company  ftiould  cut  his  Throat.  And  he  judicioufly  in- 
fifts  upon  their  fending  ufeful  Labourers  and  proper  Tradef- 
men  for  their  prefent  Condition  ;  and  upon  providing,  firft 
of  all,  Food,  Lodging,  and  fuch  other  Neceflaries,  as 
were  abfolutely  requifite  for  their  Being  and  Subfiftance, 
before  they  went  on  any  other  Projeils  of  Gain  or  Curio- 
fity,  for  which  they  were  no  ways  fitted,  in  their  prefent 
weak  and  infant  Condition.  At  the  fame  time,  he  fent 
them  two  Barrels  of  fuch  Stones,  as  he  thought  contained 
fome  Kind  of  Ore,  with  Notes,  fignifying  in  what  Places 
he  found  them.  And  to  ftiew,  he  could  make  as  large  a 
Difcovery,  as  Newporfs  of  the  Manakins^  for  lefs  Charge, 
than  he  fpent  them  at  every  Meal,  he  fent  them  a  Map  of 
the  Bay  and  Rivers,  with  a  Relation  annexed,  of  the  Coun- 
tries, and  of  the  Nations,  that  dwelt  upon  them.  And 
this  indeed  was  done  with  fuch  wonderful  exa6lnefs,  as 
fhewed  him  to  have  travelled  far,  and  feen  much  ;  and  it 
has  ever  fince  been  the  Original,  from  which  all  later  Maps 
and  Defcriptions  of  Virginia  have  been  moftly  copied. 

And  now  the  Ship  being  gone,  the  grand  Remora  and 
Obftacle  to  all  necefiary  Bufinefs,  the  Colony  began  to  look 
about  them.  The  Profpe6l  was  difmal,  and  they  were  all 
in  the  utmoft  Confternation,  expe6ting  nothing  elfe  but  the 
moft  extreme  Famine.  However  to  make  up,  in  fome 
meafure,  their  loft  Time,  Mr.  Scrivener  had  been  fent,  be- 
fore Newporfs  Departure,  with  the  Bark  and  Barges  to 
IVerowocomoco.  There  he  found  the  Indians  more  ready  to 
fight,  than  to  trade.  But  his  Vigilancy  prevented  their 
Plots  ;  and  by  the  Means  of  Namontack^  he  got  three  or 

G  2  four 


84  T/6^   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

i6o8.  four  Hogfheads  of  Corn,  and  as  much  Pocones,  a  red  Root, 
^■^-v— ^  at  that  time  efteemed  an  excellent  Dye.  Meeting  Neiuport 
John  Smith  at  Point  Comfort^  he  returned  to  the  Fort ;  and  the  Prefi- 
''^^  ^"  *  dent,  taking  him  and  Captain  Wynne^  fet  ofF  immediately 
for  Nandfamond.  That  Nation  at  firft  denied  him,  not 
only  the  four  hundred  Baflcets  of  Corn,  they  had  promifed, 
but  any  Trade  at  all.  They  excufed  themfelves  on  Ac- 
count of  their  Corn's  being  almoft  fpent,  and  becaufe  they 
were  commanded  by  Powhatan^  to  keep  what  was  left, 
and  not  to  let  the  Engl'ijh  even  enter  their  River.  The 
Prefident  finding,  nothing  was  to  be  done  in  the  Way  of 
Peace,  refolved  to  ufe  Force.  At  the  firft  Onfet,  the  In- 
dians all  fled,  without  (hooting  an  Arrow.  Then  marching 
up  to  their  Houfes,  they  fet  Fire  to  the  firft,  they  came  to. 
When  the  Indians  perceived  that,  they  offered,  if  they 
would  make  no  more  Spoil,  to  give  them  half  the  Corn, 
they  had.  Accordingly,  before  Night,  they  loaded  their 
three  Boats  ;  and  for  fparing  them  this  Year,  they  promifed 
to  plant  Corn  purpofely  for  them  the  next.  With  this 
they  returned  to  fames-Town^  about  the  Time,  that  fohn 
Laydon  was  married  to  Jnne  Burras  ;  which  was  the  firft 
Chriftian  Marriage,  that  ever  was  in  Virginia.  But  the 
Prefident  ftaid  not  long  at  the  Fort.  For  he  fitted  him- 
felf  and  Captain  Waldo  out  immediately  with  two  Barges, 
and  made  a  Voyage  up  the  River.  From  Wyanoake^  and 
all  Parts  there-abouts,  he  found  the  Indians  fled  ;  and  there- 
fore hafting  up  higher,  he  then  firft  difcovered  the  River 
and  People  of  Jppamatox.  The  little  Corn,  they  had, 
was  equally  divided  ;  and  the  Prefident  gave  them  Copper 
for  it,  and  fuch  other  Toys,  as  fully  fatisfied  them.  At 
the  fame  time,  Mr.  Scrivener  and  Lieutenant  Percy  went 
abroad  in  Queft  of  Provifions,  but  could  find  nothing. 

About  this  time,  the  Prefident  was  invited  by  Powha- 
tan to  come  to  him  ;  and  he  promifed  to  load  his  Ship  with 
Corn,  provided  he  would  fend  fome  Workmen  to  build  him 
a  Houfe,  and  would  give  him  a  Grind-ftone,  fifty  Swords, 
fome  Mufkets,  a  Cock  and  a  Hen,  with  much  Copper  and 
Beads.  The  Prefident  was  not  ignorant  of  his  Devices  and 
Subtlety  ;  yet  was  unwilling  to  neglect  any  Opportunity  of 
getting  Provifions,  and  refolved,  fooner  than  fail,  to  take 
him  and  all  his  Store  by  Surprife.  To  this  End,  he  took 
Order  with  Captain  Waldo.,  whom  he  knew  to  be  fure  in 
Time  of  Danger,  to  fecond  him,  if  Need  required.  But 
Captain  Wynne  and  Mr.  Scrivener  did  their  utmoft  to  hin- 
der their  Proje6l.  For  Scrivener's  ftri6l  Friendftiip  with 
Captain  Smith  was  now  much  cooled  ;  and  he  was  thought 
to  join  with  fome  others,  in  a  Plot  to  ruin  him  in  England. 

But 


Book  II.     The    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

But  the  Prefident,  whom  no  Eloquence  could  perfuade  to 
ftarve,  fent  off  two  EngUJl»nen  before  by  Land,  and  four 
Germans^  to  build  the  Houfe  for  Powhatan  againft  his  Ar->^^^^^^^''^ 
rival.  And  then,  having  left  Mr.  Scrivener  his  Subftitute, 
he  fet  forward  with  the  Bark  and  two  Barges,  manned  only 
with  fuch,  as  offered  themfelves  voluntarily  to  go  upon  the 
Service.  In  the  Difcovery-Barge  went  himfelf,  Mr.  Ralegh 
ChroJJmiv^  John  Rujfel^  and  feveral  other  Gentlemen  and 
Soldiers  ;  and  Mr.  William  Phittiplace^  as  Captain,  Lieute- 
nant Percy^  Mr.  Francis  Wejl^  Mr.  Robert  Ford^  Clerk  of 
the  Council,  with  many  others,  went  on  board  the  Bark. 

The  29th  of  December  they  left  James-Town^  being 
victualled  only  for  three  or  four  Days.  That  Night  they 
lodged  at  Warrafqueake^  where  the  Prefident  got  fufficient 
Provifion.  The  King  of  that  Town  did  his  utmoft  to 
divert  him  from  feeing  Powhatan  ;  but  finding,  he  could 
not  prevail,  he  told  him,  that  Powhatan  would  ufe  them 
kindly,  although  he  had  fent  for  them  only  to  cut  their 
Throats.  He  therefore  advifed  him,  not  to  truft  him, 
and  to  be  fure  to  give  him  no  Opportunity  of  feizing  his 
Arms.  The  Prefident  thanked  him  for  his  good  Counfel ; 
and  having  obtained  Guides  from  him  to  the  Chowamcks^  a 
Nation  dwelling  in  the  Fork  of  Chowan^  between  Notta- 
ivay  and  Meherrin  Rivers,  he  fent  Michael  Sicklemore^  a 
very  valiant,  honeft,  and  painful  Soldier,  with  Prefents  to 
that  King ;  but  chiefly  to  look  for  Silkgrafs,  and  to  en- 
quire after  Sir  Walter  Ralegh's  loft  Colony.  The  next 
Night  they  lodged  at  Kicquotan^  and  were  detained  there 
fix  or  feven  Days  by  the  extreme  Wind,  Rain,  Frofl:,  and 
Snow.  This  obliged  them  to  keep  their  Chrijimas  among  1609. 
the  Savages ;  and  they  were  never  more  merry  in  their 
Lives,  lodged  by  better  Fires,  or  fed  with  greater  Plenty  of 
good  Bread,  Oyfters,  Fifh,  Flefti,  and  Wildfowl.  De- 
parting thence,  they  arrived  on  the  12th  of  January^  thro' 
various  Accidents,  at  Werowocomoco ;  where  they  found  the 
River  frozen  near  half  a  Mile  from  the  Shore.  But  the 
Prefident,  running  his  Barge  up,  as  far  as  he  could  by 
breaking  the  Ice,  was  left  by  the  Ebb  upon  the  oozy  Shoals. 
In  this  dangerous  Situation,  he  plunged  firft  into  the  River 
himfelf;  and  by  his  Example,  taught  them  to  march,  near 
Middle  deep,  a  Flight-fhot,  through  the  frozen  Ooze. 
When  the  Barge  fliould  float,  he  appointed  two  or  three  to  re- 
turn her  aboard  the  Bark  ;  where  they,  foon  after,  came  into 
fuch  Diftrefs  for  Want  of  Water,  that  the  River  being  fait, 
they  were  obliged  to  make  frefli  Water,  by  melting  the  Ice. 
The  Prefident  and  his  Company  quartered  in  the  next 
Cabbins,  they  found,  and  fent  to  Powhatan  for  Provifions. 

G  3  He 


86  rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1609.  He  fent  them  Plenty  of  Bread,  Turkey,  and  Venifon  ;  and 
''^"v  'the  next  Day,  feafted  them  after  his  ufual  Manner.  But 
John  Smith  \^Q  pretended,  he  had  not  fent  for  them;  neither  had  he 
any  Corn,  and  his  People  much  lefs ;  and  foon  began  to 
be  importunate  with  them  to  be  gone.  But  the  Prefident 
confronting  him  with  the  Perfons,  who  brought  the  Mef- 
fage,  he  endeayoured  to  put  the  Matter  off  with  a  Laugh, 
and  afked  for  his  Commodities.  But  he  liked  nothing,  ex- 
cept Guns  and  Swords,  and  valued  a  Bafket  of  Corn  higher 
than  a  Bafket  of  Copper  ;  faying,  he  could  rate  his  Corn, 
but  not  the  Copper.  Captain  Smithy  feeing  his  Intent,  told 
him  ;  that  he  had  many  Ways,  to  have  got  Provifions, 
but  reiving  on  his  Promifes,  he  had  neglected  all  to  fatisfy 
his  Defire,  and  had  fent  his  Men  to  make  his  Buildings, 
whiHt  his  own  were  undone  :  That  he  knew,  he  had  en- 
grofled  his  People's  Corn,  and  forbid  them  to  trade  \  think- 
ing, by  confuming  Time,  to  confume  them :  That  as  for 
Swords  and  Guns,  he  had  none  to  fpare  ;  and  that  he  muft 
know,  thofe,  he  had,  could  keep  him  from  ftarving :  Yet 
he  would  neither  rob  nor  wrong  him,  nor  diflblve  that 
Friendfliip,  they  had  mutually  promifed,  unlefs  conftrained 
to  it  by  bad  Ufage.  The  King  liftened  attentively  to  this 
Difcourfe  ;  and  promifed,  that  both  he  and  his  People 
fhould  fpare  him,  what  they  could,  and  that  they  fhould 
receive  it  within  two  Days.  But^  fays  he,  /  have  fo'me 
Doubt  about  the  Reafon  of  your  coming  hither.  I  am  in- 
formed from  mayiy  Hands^  that  you  come^  not  to  trade., 
but  to  invade  my  People.,  and  to  pojfefs  my  Country.  This 
makes  me  lefs  ready  to  relieve  you.,  and  frightens  my  Peo- 
ple from  bringing  in  their  Corn.  And  therefore  to  eafe 
them  of  that  Fear.,  leave  your  Arms  aboard.,  ftnce  they  are 
needlefs  here.,  where  we  are  all  Friends.,  and  for  ever 
Powhatans. 

In  thefe,  and  many  fuch  infidious  Difcourfes,  that  Day 
was  fpent.  But  Captain  Smith  afterwards  difcovered,  that 
the  Germans.,  whom  he  had  fent  to  build  Powhatan'%  Houfe, 
finding  his  Plenty  and  the  Wants  of  the  Engli/h.,  and 
thinking  it  fcarce  poflible,  that  they  could  efcape  both  him 
and  Famine,  had,  to  gain  his  Favour,  revealed  to  him  all, 
they  knew,  of  the  State  and  Defigns  of  the  EngUJJj.,  and 
advifed  him,  how  to  counteract  and  prevent  them.  And 
this  Treachery  was  the  more  odious  and  unfufpe6ted,  be- 
caufe  the  Prefident  had  placed  one  of  them,  as  a  Spy  upon 
Poivhatan.,  being  a  Man  of  Judgment  and  Refolution,  and 
therefore  thought  moft  proper  for  that  Employ.  And  as 
he  was  fure  of  his  Wages  for  his  Labour,  and  had  ever 
been  well  ufed,  both  he  and  his  Countrymen,  there  was  at 

that 


Book  11.     'The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.  87 

that  time  little  Doubt  concerning  his  Honefty.      But  whilft      1609. 

they  expe6led  the  coming  in  of  the  Country,  they  wrangled v ' 

Powhatan  out  of  eighty  Bufhels  of  Corn  for  a  Copper  K.et-J"^"  ^'"''^ 
tie  ;  which  the  Prefident  feeing  him  much  affecSt,  he  told  P"'^^*'^^"'^- 
him,  it  was  of  much  greater  Value,  yet  in  Regard  of  his 
Scarcity,  he  would  accept  that  Quantity  at  prefent,  pro- 
vided he  (hould  have  as  much  more  the  next  Year,  or  the 
Manakin  Country.  Both  being  fatisfied  with  the  Condition, 
Poiuhatan  begun  to  expoftulate  the  Difference  of  Peace  and 
War,  with  Captain  Smithy  after  this  Manner. 

H  E  told  him,  with  a  Vanity  ufual  to  Perfons,  who  affe6l 
to  be  thought  very  old,  that  he  had  feen  the  Death  of  all 
his  People  thrice  ;  and  that  not  one  of  thofe  three  Genera- 
tions was  th'en  living,  except  himfelf :  That  he  knew  the 
Difference  of  Peace  and  War  better,  than  any  in  his 
Country  :  That  he  was  now  grown  old,  and  muft  die  foon  ; 
and  that  the  Succeflion  muft  defcend,  in  Order,  to  his 
Brothers,  Opitchapan^  Opechancanough^  and  Catataugh^  and 
then  to  his  two  Sifters,  and  their  two  Daughters.  He  wifhed 
their  Experience  was  equal  to  his  ;  and  that  S7nith''s,  Love 
to  them  might  be  no  lefs,  than  his  to  Smith.  He  afked 
him ;  Why  he  would  take  that  by  Force,  which  he  might 
quickly  have  by  Love  ?  Why  he  would  deftroy  them,  that 
provided  him  Food  ?  and.  What  he  could  get  by  War  ? 
For  they  could  hide  their  Provifions,  and  fly  into  the  Woods  ; 
and  then  he  mufl  confequently  famifh  by  wronging  his 
Friends.  He  defired  to  know  the  Reafon  of  his  Jealoufy, 
fince  he  faw  them  unarmed,  and  willing  to  fupply  his  Wants, 
if  he  would  come  in  a  friendly  Manner,  and  not  with 
Swords  and  Guns,  as  to  invade  an  Enemy.  And  he  told 
him,  that  he  was  not  fo  fimple,  as  not  to  know,  it  was 
better  to  eat  good  Meat,  lie  well,  and  fleep  quietly  with  his 
Women  and  Children ;  to  laugh  and  be  merry  with  the 
EngUJh^  and  being  their  Friend,  to  have  Copper,  Hatchets, 
and  whatever  elfe  he  wanted  ;  than  to  fly  from  all,  to  lie 
cold  in  the  Woods,  feed  upon  Acorns,  Roots,  and  fuch 
Trafh,  and  to  be  fo  hunted,  that  he  could  neither  refl,  eat, 
or  fleep.  In  that  Circumftance,  his  tired  Men  muft  watch, 
and  if  a  Twig  did  but  break,  all  would  be  crying  out. 
Here  comes  Captain  Smith  ;  and  fo,  in  this  miferable  Man- 
ner, to  end  his  miferable  Life  ;  which  might  likewife  foon 
be  Captain  Smith's,  Fate  too,  through  his  Rafhnefs  and  Un- 
advifednefs.  He  therefore  earneflly  exhorted  him  to  peace- 
able Counfels  ;  and  above  all  infifted,  that  the  Guns  and 
Swords,  the  grand  Caufe  of  their  Jealoufy  and  Uneafmefs, 
fhould  be  removed  and  fent  away. 

G4  To 


88  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1609.  To  this  crafty  Difcourfe  the  Prefident  replied  :  That  it 
*"— ~v^-^  was  the  Fafhion  of  the  Engli/h,  always  to  wear  their  Arms, 
John  Smith  ijj^g  their  Cloaths  ;  and  that  they  would,  by  no  Means, 
part  with  them  :  That  his  People  came  frequently  to  James- 
Town^  and  were  entertained  with  their  Bows  and  Arrows, 
without  any  Exceptions  :  That  if  the  Englljh  had  intended 
him  any  Hurt,  they  could  long  fince  have  effected  it,  as 
was  evident  to  him,  and  all  the  World,  efpecially  confi- 
dering  the  Superiority  of  their  Arms  :  That  altho'  Revenge 
was  always  in  their  Power,  yet,  out  of  an  Inclination  to 
Mercy  and  Friendfhip,  they  pafled  over  the  daily  Viola- 
tions of  the  Peace  by  his  Subjects  :  And  as  to  hiding  his 
Provifions,  and  flying  into  the  Woods,  he  told  him,  they 
fliould  not  fo  unadvifedly  ftarve,  as  he  imagined.  For  they 
had  a  Rule  to  find  things  hidden,  beyond  his  Knowledge. 
After  much  more  Difcourfe,  they  at  laft  began  to  trade. 
But  the  King,  feeing  that  his  Will  would  not  be  admitted 
as  a  Law,  and  that  Smith  was  obftinate,  not  to  difmifs  his 
Guard,  or  difarm  his  Men,  breathed  out  his  Mind  once 
more  in  this  Manner,  with  a  Sigh. 

Captain   Smith,   /  never  ufe  any   Werowance  fo  kindly  as 

yourfelf;  yet  from  you   I  receive  the  leafl  Kindnefs   of  any. 

Captain    Newport    gave    me    Swords^    Copper^     Cloaths^    or 

whatever  elfe  I  deftred^  ever  accepting  what  I  offered  him  ; 

and  would  fend  away  his   Guns^  when  requejied.      No  one  re- 

fufes  to  lie  at  my  Feet^  or  do^  what  I  demand^  but  you  only. 

Of  you  I  can  have  nothings  hut  what  you  value  not.,  and  yet 

you  ivill  have^  whatfoever  you  pleafe.      Captain  Newport  you 

call  Father^  and  fo  you  call  me  ;  but  I  fee^  in  fpite  of  us  both., 

you  will  do^  what  you  will.,  and  we  muft  both  Jiudy  to  humour 

and  content  you.     But  if  you  intend  fo  friendly^  as  you  fay^ 

fend  away  your  Arms.      For  you  fee.,  my  undefigning  Simplicity 

and  Friendjhip  caufe  me.,  thus  nakedly.,  to  forget  myfelf. 

The  Prefident,  perceiving  this  Barbarian  onlv  trifled  the 
Time  to  cut  his  Throat,  refolved  to  treat  him  in  his  own 
Way.  He  therefore  procured  the  Indians  to  break  the  Ice, 
that  his  Boat  might  come,  to  fetch  him  and  his  Corn  ;  and 
at  the  fame  Time,  gave  Order  for  more  Men  to  come  a- 
(hore,  to  furprife  the  King.  In  the  mean  while,  to  pro- 
tract the  Time,  he  endeavoured  to  entertain  him  with  much 
fpecious  and  fallacious  Difcourfe  ;  promifing,  the  next  Day 
to  quit  his  Arms,  and  to  fhew,  by  trufting  to  his  Word, 
that  he  loved  and  confided  in  him,  as  a  Father.  But  whilft 
the  Ice  was  breaking,  Powhatan  conveyed  himfelf  awav, 
with  his  Women,  Children,  and  Luggage.  Yet  to  avoid 
Sufpicion,  he  left  two  or  three  of  his  Women  talking  with 
the  Prefident,  whilft  he  fecretly  ran  off,  and  his  Men  as 

fecretly 


Book  II.    The    History    of  VIRGINIA. 

fecretly  befet  the  Houfe.  Which  being  prefently  difcover- 
ed,  the  Prefident  iflued  forth,  with  his  Piftol,  Sword,  and 
Target.  At  his  firft  Shot,  thole,  next  him,  tumbled  oneJ"''"^'"'"'' 
over  another  ;  and  the  reft  fled  nimbly  off,  fome  one  Way, 
fome  another.  And  thus,  without  any  Hurt,  only  accom- 
panied with  Mr.  John  Rujfel^  he  reached  the  main  Body 
of  his  Men.  But  when  the  Indians  perceived  him  fo  well 
efcaped,  they  ufed  their  utmoft  Art,  to  excufe  and  diflem- 
ble  the  Matter.  Powhatan  fent  him  a  great  Bracelet  and 
Chain  of  Pearl  by  an  ancient  Orator,  who  told  him,  that 
their  Emperor  was  fled  for  Fear  of  his  Guns  :  That  know- 
ing, when  the  Ice  was  open,  there  would  come  more  Men 
afhore,  he  had  fent  thofe  Numbers,  whom  he  had  affaulted, 
only  to  guard  his  Corn  from  being  ftole,  which  might  hap- 
pen without  the  Prefident's  Knowledge  :  That  altho'  fome 
were  hurt  by  his  Miftake,  yet  Powhatan  was  ftill  his  Friend, 
and  for  ever  would  continue  fo.  And  he  defired,  fince  the 
Ice  was  open,  that  he  would  fend  away  his  Corn  ;  and  if 
he  expe6ted  his  Company,  that  he  would  alfo  fend  away 
his  Guns,  which  fo  frighted  his  People,  that  they  were 
afraid  to  bring  in  their  Corn,  as  he  had  promifed  they 
ftiould.  And  then  Bafkets  being  provided  for  the  Englijh^ 
to  carry  their  Corn  to  the  Boats,  thofe  Indians  kindly  offer- 
ed their  Service,  to  guard  their  Arms,  left  they  (hould  be 
ftolen.  There  was  a  great  Number  of  goodly,  well-pro- 
portioned Fellows,  painted  and  grimmed,  like  Devils.  But 
the  very  Sight  of  the  Englijh  cocking  their  Matches,  and 
being  ready  to  charge,  made  them  quit  their  Bows  and  Ar- 
rows, at  Command,  to  the  Guard,  and  carry  down  the 
Corn  upon  their  Backs.  And  there  was  no  Occafion  to 
importune  them,  to  make  Difpatch. 

But  Powhatan  and  the  Germans  were  ftill  eager  to  have 
the  Head  of  Captain  Smith.  For  if  they  could  but  kill  him, 
they  thought,  all  would  be  their  bwn.  And  therefore,  the 
Englijh  being  ftaid  by  the  Ebb  till  late  within  Night,  the 
King  fpent  his  Time  in  making  ready  his  Forces,  to  fur- 
prife  the  Houfe  and  him  at  Supper.  But  Pocahontas^  in  a 
very  dark  and  difmal  Night,  came  alone  through  the  Woods, 
and  told  the  Prefident,  that  great  Cheer  would  be  fent  them 
foon ;  but  that  Powhatan^  with  all  the  Power,  he  could 
make,  would  come  after  to  kill  them  all,  if  thofe,  who 
brought  the  Vidluals,  could  not  effect  it  with  their  own 
Arms,  while  they  were  at  Supper.  And  therefore,  as  they 
tendered  their  Lives,  ftie  advifed  them  to  be  gone.  The 
Prefident  would  have  given  her  fuch  Things,  as  he  knew, 
fhe  delighted  in.  But,  with  Tears  running  down  her 
Cheeks,  fhe  refufed  them  ;  faying,  fhe  durft  not  be  feen  to 

i-*  have  • 


90  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1609.      have  any   of   them.      For   fhould   her   Father   know  it,    it 

'^ -r- —  would  be  certain  and  immediate  Death  to  her.     And  fo  (he 

John  Smith  ran  away,  by  herfelf,  as  fhe  came.  Within  lefs  than  an 
Piefident.  Ylour  after,  came  eight  or  ten  lufty  Fellows,  with  large 
Platters  of  Venifon  and  other  VicSli^als  ;  and  they  were  very 
importunate  with  the  Engli/})^  to  put  out  their  Matches  ; 
pretending,  their  Smoke  made  them  fick.  But  the  Prefi- 
dent  made  them  tafte  of  every  Difh  ;  and  then  fent  fome  of 
them  back  to  Powhatan^  to  bid  him  make  Hafte  ;  for  he 
was  ready  for  his  coming.  Soon  after  came  more  Meflen- 
gers,  to  fee  what  News  j  and  not  long  after  them,  others. 
And  thus  was  the  Time  fpent,  with  equal  Vigilancy  on  both 
Sides,  but  without  any  farther  Hurt.  At  high  Water,  the 
Englijh  departed  ;  but  to  oblige  Powhatan^  they  left  him, 
at  his  Requeft,  Edward  Brynton^  to  kill  him  Fowl,  and 
the  Germans^  who  were  yet  unfufpeiled,  to  finifli  his  Houfe. 
They  had  no  fooner  fet  Sail,  but  Powhatan  returned, 
and  fent  two  of  the  Germans  to  'James-Town.  They  pre- 
tended to  Captain  Wynne.,  that  all  things  were  well,  and 
that  the  Prefident  had  Occafipn  for  their  Arms  \  and  there- 
fore they  defired  new  ones,  with  fome  fpare  Tools,  and 
fhift  of  Apparel  ;  all  which  were  readily  granted  them. 
During  their  loitering  there,  by  the  Promife  of  Powhatan\ 
Favour,  and  of  an  Exemption  from  the  Miferies,  which 
would  certainly  happen  to  the  Colony,  they  drew  over  to 
their  Confederacy  fix  or  feven  more,  fuch  expert  Thieves, 
as  prefently  furniftied  them  with  fifty  Swords,  eight  Muf- 
kets,  eight  Pikes,  and  JfJowder  and  Shot  ;  which  were 
fpeedily  conveyed  away,  by  Indians  at  Hand  for  that  Pur- 
pofe.  The  other  German  Powhatan  kept,  as  a  Pledge  ; 
whofe  Diligence  provided  him  with  three  hundred  Toma- 
hauks,  or  Indian  Hatchets.  In  the  mean  time,  Edward 
Brynton  and  Thomas  Savage^  feeing  the  Germans  fo  diligent 
to  accommodate  the  Indidns  with  Arms,  attempted  to  make 
their  Efcape  to  James-Town.  But  they  were  apprehended 
and  brought  back,  and  expedled,  every  Minute,  to  be  put 
to  Death. 

The  Prefident  and  the  reft,  being  arrived  at  Pamunkey., 
were  entertained  fome  Days  by  the  King,  with  great  Feaft- 
ing  and  Mirth.  The  Day,  appointed  to  begin  their  Trade, 
he  went  aftiore  with  Lieutenant  Percy .^  Mr.  Weji.,  Mr. 
Russel^  Mr.  Behethland^  Mr.  Crojhaw^  Mr.  Powel^^  Mr. 
Ford.,  and  others  to  the  Number  of  fifteen  ;  and  going  up 
to  Opechancanough's  Houfe,  a  Quarter  of  a  Mile  from  the 
River,  they  found  nothing  but  a  lame  Fellow  and  a  Boy, 
and  all  the  Houfes  round  abandoned,  and  ftripped  of  every 
thing.  They  ftaid  not  long,  before  the  King  came,  and 
•  after 


Book  II.      "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  91 

after  him  feveral  of  his  People,  loaded  with   Bows  and  Ar-     1609. 

rows.      But  their  Commodities  were  fo  trifling,  and  thofe ' -< 

held  at  fuch  a  Rate,  that  the  Prefident  began  with  the  ^"^■"^ '^'"''^ 
King,  and  faid  :  That  the  Profeffions  of  his  Tongue  were  ^'^^'^^'''^ 
proved  by  his  Adlions  to  be  mere  Deceit :  That  laft  Year 
he  kindly  freighted  his  Veflel  ;  but  had  how  treacheroufly 
invited  him,  with  a  View  to  famifli  and  deftroy  him  :  That 
as  the  King  was  not  ignorant  of  his  Wants,  fo  neither  was 
he  of  the  King's  Plenty  ;  of  which,  by  fome  Means,  he 
muft  have  Part.  And  he  told  him,  it  was  highly  proper 
and  decent  for  Kings,  above  all  others,  to  keep  their  Pro- 
mife.  And  therefore,  (hewing  his  Commodities,  he  offered 
him  his  Choice,  and  the  reft,  he  faid,  he  would  proportion 
in  fit  Bargains  for  his  People.  Opechancamugh  feemed  kind- 
ly to  accept  his  Offei; ;  and  the  better  to  colour  his  Defigns, 
fold  them,  what  they  had,  at  their  own  Price  ;  promifing, 
the  next  Day,  more  Company,  better  provided. 

The  next  Day,  the  Prefident,  with  the  fame  fifteen, 
marched  up  to  the  King's  Houfe,  where  they  found  four 
or  five  Men,  newly  arrived,  with  each  a  great  Bafket. 
Soon  after  came  the  King  ;  and  putting  on  a  ftrained  Chear- 
fulnefs,  he  entertained  them  in  Difcourfe,  about  the  great 
Pains  he  had  been  taking,  to  keep  his  Promife  ;  till  Mr. 
Rujfel  brought  in  News,  that  at  leaft  feven  hundred  In- 
dians^ well  armed,  had  invironed  the  Houfe,  and  befet  the 
Fields.  The  Prefident,  feeing  fome  of  the  Company  great- 
ly difmaid  at  the  Thought  of  fuch  a  Multitude,  told  them  : 
That  he  was  lefs  concerned  at  the  Danger  and  Number  of 
the  Enemy,  than  at  the  malicious  Reprefentations,  which 
the  Council,  and  their  open  mouthed  Minions,  would  make 
to  England^  of  his  breaking  the  Peace :  That  he,  alone, 
was  once  aflaulted  by  three  hundred  ;  and  had  it  not  been 
for  an  Accident,  would  have  made  his  Way  good  among 
them  all :  That  they  were  now  fixteen,  and  the  Enemy 
but  feven  hundred  at  the  moft.  And  therefore  he  defired 
them,  to  fight  like  Men,  and  not  die  like  Sheep.  For  if 
they  dared  to  follow  his  Example,  and  to  do,  as  he  did, 
he  doubted  not,  by  God's  Afliftance,  to  extricate  them  out 
of  the  prefent  Difficulty  and  Danger.  The  Time  not  per- 
mitting any  Argument,  they  all  chearfully  vowed,  to  exe- 
cute, whatever  he  attempted,  or  die.  But  that  they  might 
not  fight  for  nothing,  or  be  even  ruined  and  ftarved  by 
their  Victory,  the  Prefident  told  Opechancamugh  :  That  he 
faw  his  Plot  to  murder  him,  but  he  feared  it  not :  That 
their  Men  had  done  no  Harm,  but  by  their  Dire6lions  : 
That  therefore,  if  each  of  his  Men  would  bring  a  Bafket 
of  Corn,  he  would   ftake  againft   it   the  Value   in   Copper, 


an 


d 


92  ^T'^^    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  11. 

1609.     and  they  two  would  go  over  into  the  Ifland,  in  the  River, 
^ —  ^-—^  againft  that  Place,  and  decide  the  Matter  by  fingle  Combat : 
johnSmhb  -phat  he  fhould  have  his  Choice,  and  all  Advantage  of  Wea- 
pons :    and,  That   the    Conqueror   fhould   have  all,  and  be 
Lord  and  Mafter  over  all  their  Men. 

But  duelling  in  fair  and  open  Field  is  not  the  Manner 
of  the  Indians.  Their  chief  Valour  confifts  in  way-laying 
and  murdering  the  unfufpefting  and  unprovided,  or  perhaps 
the  weak  and  helplefs.  Neither  had  Opechancanough  fuch 
Regard  for  the  Lives  of  his  Subje6ls,  as  to  fave  them  from 
Danger,  at  the  Hazard  of  his  own.  He  therefore  kindly 
endeavoured  to  appeafe  the  Prefident's  Anger  and  Sufpicion, 
by  a  Prefent  at  the  Door,  which  he  intreated  him  to  ac- 
cept. This  was  only  to  draw  him  out,  where  the  Bait 
was  guarded  with  two  hundred  Men,  befides  thirty,  which 
lay  behind  a  great  Tree,  fallen  acrofs,  with  each  his  Ar- 
row notched,  ready  to  fhoot.  But  the  Prefident,  having 
difcovered  the  Treachery,  feifed  the  King,  in  the  Midft  of 
his  Men,  by  his  long  Lock  of  Hair,  and  prefented  his  Pif- 
tol,  ready  cocked,  to  his  Breaft.  Thus  he  led  him,  trem- 
bling and  half  dead  with  Fear,  among  his  People ;  who 
were  eafily  induced  to  throw  down  their  Arms,  and  to  de- 
liver the  King's  Vambrace,  Bow,  and  Arrows ;  little 
dreaming,  that  any  one  durft  to  ufe  their  King  in  that  Man- 
ner. And  now  Opechancanough.^  to  refcue  himfelf,  beftow- 
ed  his  Prefents  in  ferious  Sadnefs  ;  and  his  Subje6ls,  being 
upbraided  and  threatened  by  the  Prefident  in  a  fmart  and 
angry  Speech,  mixed  with  fome  Expreflions  of  Love  and 
Confidence,  caft  away  their  Bows  and  Arrows,  and  Men, 
Women,  and  Children,  brought  in  their  Commodities. 
For  two  or  three  Hours,  they  fo  thronged  and  wearied  him, 
that  he  retired  into  the  Houfe  to  reft,  leaving  others  to 
trade,  and  receive  their  Prefents.  Whilft  he  was  afleep, 
fifty  of  their  choice  Men,  with  each  an  Englijh  Sword  or 
Club  in  his  Hand,  and  feconded  by  two  or  three  hundred 
more,  prefled  into  the  Houfe  to  murder  him.  But  the  Pre- 
fident, being  waked  from  his  Sleep,  by  the  Noife  of  the 
People  and  fhaking  of  the  Houfe,  betook  himfelf  to  his 
Arms,  together  with  Mr.  CroJI^aw  and  fome  others  ;  which 
foon  made  them  throng  back,  fafter  than  they  came.  But 
Opechancanough  and  fome  of  his  Ancients,  who  were  kept 
Prifoners  with  him,  endeavoured,  in  a  long  Oration,  to 
excufe  this  Intrufion.  The  reft  of  the  Day  was  fpent  with 
much  Kindnefs,  the  Indians  renewing  their  Prefents,  and 
feafting  the  Englijh  with  their  beft  Provifions. 

While  thefe  things   were.  tranfa6ling,  there  happened 
an  unlucky  Accident  at  the  Fort.      Mr.  Scrivener  had  re- 
ceived 


Book  II.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

ceived  Letters  from  England^  which  gave  him  towering 
Thoughts,  and  made  him  decline  entirely  in  his  Affe6i:ion  and 
Friendfhip  to  Captain   Smith,  who  ftill   regarded  and  loved  •"^°^" '^'""^ 

■  •  •  Prefident 

him,  as  his  Brother.  This  made  him  more  headftrong  and 
conceited,  than  was  naturally  confiftent  with  his  Prudence 
and  Moderation.  And  having  taken  it  into  his  Head  to  vifit 
Hog-IJlamd^  he  could  not  be  turned  from  it,  by  the  Advice 
and  repeated  Entreaties  of  Captain  Waldo  and  feveral  others. 
Therefore,  taking  with  him  Captain  Waldo^  who  was  not 
to  be  abfent  from  the  Fort,  but  to  be  ready  to  fecond  the 
Prefident,  if  called  for,  and  Mr.  Anthony  Gofnold^  a  very 
worthy,  honeft,  and  induftrious  Gentleman,  and  Brother 
to  Captain  Bartholomew  Gofnold^  with  eight  others,  he 
went  into  the  SkifF.  She  was  fo  overloaded,  that  fhe  fcarce 
could  have  lived  in  calm  Weather  ;  but,  in  that  cold  and 
boifterous  Day,  fhe  funk,  none  knowing  how  or  where, 
and  all  aboard  were  drowned.  To  advertife  the  Prefident 
of  this  heavy  News,  none  could  be  got,  till  Mr.  Richard 
JVyffin  undertook  it  alone.  He  was  encountered  with  many 
Dangers  and  Difficulties,  in  all  Places,  as  he  paffed.  And 
at  Werowocomoco^  not  finding  the  Prefident,  and  perceiving 
fuch  Preparations  for  War,  he  was  certainly  afl'ured,  that 
fome  Mifchief  was  intended.  But  Pocahontas  hid  him  for 
a  Time,  and  fent  thofe,  who  purfued  him,  the  quite  con- 
trary Way.  At  length,  by  her  Means  and  extraordinary 
Bribes  and  Trouble,  in  three  Days  Travel,  he  found  the 
Prefident  at  Pamunkey^  in  the  Midfl:  of  thofe  Broils  and 
Difficulties.  The  Prefident,  having  fworn  him  to  conceal 
this  unhappy  News  from  the  Company,  and  diffembling 
his  Sorrow  with  the  beft  Countenance,  he  could,  went 
fafely  aboard  at  Night,  and  left  Opechancanough  at  Liberty, 
according  to  his  Promife,  and  likewife  with  a  Defign,  the 
better  to  entrap  Powhatan  in  his  Return.  Soon  after,  he  went 
down  the  River,  having  fearched  the  Countries  of  Tough- 
tanund  (now  Pamunkey  River)  and  Mattapony  ;  where  the 
poor  Creatures  imparted  the  little  Corn,  they  had,  with 
fuch  Complaints,  and  Tears  from  the  Eyes  of  Women  and 
Children,  as  fully  fatisfied,  and  moved  them  with  Com- 
paffion. 

Powhatan  had  threatened  Death  to  his  Men,  if  they  did 
not,  by  fome  Means  or  other,  kill  Captain  Smith.  But 
they  hated  fighting  with  him,  almost  as  bad  as  hanging. 
And  the  Prefident,  on  his  Side,  was  as  eager,  to  furprife 
and  take  that  fubtle  and  perfidious  Barbarian.  Therefore, 
in  his  Way  down  the  River,  there  were  many  Feints  and 
Strategems,  on  both  Parts,  but  without  any  remarkabl  Ef- 
hO..     Only  the  Prefident,  with  Mr.  Weji  and  fome  others, 

would 


94  Tke   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  II. 

1609.     would   have  been  poifoned,   had   their  Art    been    equal    to 

^— ^^r their  Will.      It  only  made  them  Sick,  and  fo  worked  itfelf 

j,ohri  Smith  q^^  And  thus,  through  many  Dangers  and  Difficulties, 
they  returned  to  yames-Tozun  ;  where  they  delivered,  near 
200  lbs.  of  Deer's  Suet,  and  479  Bufhels  of  Corn,  to  the 
Cape-Merchant. 

At  yames-Town  they  found  nothing  done,  but  their  Pro- 
vifions  fpent,  and  a  great  Part  of  their  Tools  and  Arms 
conveyed  to  the  Indians.  But  altho'  what  was  left  by  the 
Ship  was  fo  rotten  with  the  Rain,  and  fo  mangled  by  the 
Rats  and  Worms,  that  the  Hogs  would  fcarcely  eat  it,  yet 
upon  cafling  up  their  Store,  they  found  a  fufficient  Provi- 
fion  for  the  Year.  Wherefore,  the  Fear  of  ftarving  being 
laid  afide,  the  Company  was  ranged  into  proper  .Divifions, 
and  fix  Hours  each  Day  fpent  in  Work,  the  reft  in  Paf- 
time  and  merry  Exercifes.  And  the  Prefident,  having  cal- 
led them  together,  told  them:  That  their  late  Experience 
and  Mifery  were  fufficient  to  perfuade  every  one  to  a  pre- 
fent  Amendment :  That  they  muft  not  think,  that  either 
his  Pains,  or  the  Adventurers  Purfes,  would  for  ever  main- 
tain them  in  Sloth  and  Idlenefs  :  That  he  knew,  many  de- 
ferved  more  Honour,  and  a  better  Reward,  than  was  yet 
to  be  had  ;  but  that  far  the  greateft  Part  of  them  muft  be 
more  induftrious,  or  ftarve  :  That  it  was  not  reafonable, 
that  the  Labours  of  thirty  or  forty  honeft  and  induftrious 
Men  fhould  be  confumed,  to  maintain  an  hundred  and  fifty 
Loiterers  :  and,  That  therefore  every  one,  that  would  not 
work,  fhould  not  eat :  That  they  had  often  been  fcreened 
and  prote6ted,  in  their  Difobedience  to  his  juft  and  neceflary 
Commands,  by  the  Authority  of  the  Council :  But  that 
now,  all  being  either  dead  or  gone,  except  Captain  Wynne 
and  himfelf,  that  whole  Power  refted,  in  Effe6l,  folely  in 
him.  And  therefore,  he  advifed  them,  not  to  feed  them- 
felves  up  with  the  vain  Prefumption,  that  his  Authority  was 
but  a  Shadow,  and  that  his  Life  muft  anfwer  for  theirs. 
For  the  Letters  Patent,  and  other  Powers,  would  prove 
the  contrary,  and  fhould,  every  Week,  be  read  to  them; 
and  every  one,  that  offended,  might  alTuredly  expeft  his 
due  Punifliment.  He  alfo  made  a  Table,  as  a  publick  Me- 
morial of  each  Man's  Deferts,  to  encourage  the  Good,  and 
to  fpur  on  the  reft  by  Shame.  By  this,  many  became  very 
induftrious  ;  but  more  were  driven  to  their  Bufiness,  by 
Punifhment,  and  the  Prefident's  extraordinary  Vigor  and 
Diligence. 

As  they  came  down  Parnunkey  (fince  called  Tor'k  River) 
off"  of  IVerozvocoynoco.^  the  Prefident  had  fent  Mr.  Chrojhaw 
and    A4r.    Ford  to    yatnes-Town.,  by   Land.      In   their  Way, 

they 


Book  II.     rhc   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

they  met  four  or  five  of  the  German's  Confederates,  going 

to  Powhatan  ;  who  to  clear  themfelves  from  thofe  Gentle-' 

mens  Sufpicion,  that  thev  were  running  to  the  Indians,  re-  7'^^"  ^""'^ 

J        •  u      u  I.       tr      .  J    .u  •  J         D       Prefident. 

turned  with  them  to  the  r' ort,  and  there  contmued.  .  But 
the  Germans^  to  know  the  Reafon  of  their  Stay,  fent  one 
of  their  Company,  a  ftout  young  Fellow,  difguifed  like  an 
Indian^  to  the  Glafs-houfe.  This  flood  in  the  Woods, 
about  a  Mile  from  'James-Town^  and  was  the  common 
Place  of  Rendezvous  for  all  their  fecret  Villany.  The  Pre- 
fident, hearing  of  this,  immediately  fent  to  apprehend  this 
German.  But  he  being  gone,  he  difpatched  twenty  good 
Shot  after,  to  intercept  him  in  his  Return  to  Powhatan. 
They  foon  brought  him  back,  and  notwithftanding  his  fair 
Tale  and  plaufible  Excufes,  he  was  thrown  into  Prifon. 
However  the  Prefident  fpared  his  Life,  hoping  thereby  to 
regain  his  Countrymen. 

Captain  Smith.,  having  fent  all  his  Men  after  the 
German.,  returned  from  the  Glafs-houfe  alone,  armed  only 
.with  a  Faucheon.  Iii  his  Way  he  met  the  King  of  Paf- 
pahey.,  a  Man  of  great  Strength  and  gigantic  Stature.  At 
firft,  he  endeavoured  to  draw  the  Prefident  into  his  Am- 
bufcade  ;  but  failing  in  that,  he  attempted  to  fhoot  him. 
But  Smith.,  to  prevent  it,  clofed  in  and  grappled  with  him. 
And  the  Indian.,  by  mere  Dint  of  Strength,  bore  him  into 
the  River,  with  a  Defign  to  drown  him.  Long  they  ftrug- 
gled  in  the  Water,  till  the  Prefident  got  fuch  Hold  of  his 
Throat,  that  he  almoft  ftrangled  hirn.  And  then,  having 
difengaged  himfelf,  fo  as  to  draw  his  Faucheon,  the  poor 
Savage  begged  his  Life,  in  fuch  a  pitiful  Manner,  that  he 
led  him  to  James-Town.,  and  put  him  into  Chains,  where 
he  continued  for  fome  time,  till  by  the  Negligence  of  his 
Keepers,  he  efcaped.  Some  Endeavours  were  ufed  to  re- 
take him,  but  without  Effe6l ;  only  the  Prefident  took  two 
Indians  Prifoners,  Kemps  and  Tuffore.,  the  two  moft  exqui- 
fite  Villains  in  all  the  Country.  Thefe  Men  would  have 
betrayed  both  King  and  Kindred  for  a  Piece  of  Copper ; 
and  had  Captain  Wynne  and  Lieutenant  Percy.,  who  were 
fent  upon  the  Bufinefs  with  fifty  Men,  followed  their  Di- 
re61:ions,  they  would  certainly  have  regained  the  King,  and 
been  fully  revenged  for  the  Injury  and  Aflault.  However, 
that  this  might  not  encourage  them  to  farther  Boldnefs, 
they  attacked  and  flew  feveral  of  the  Nation,  burnt  their 
Houfes,  took  their  Canoes  and  fifhing  Weirs,  and  planted 
fome  of  them  at  James-Town.,  and  were  refolved  to  profe- 
cute  them  with  War,  till  they  were  fully  humbled  and 
fubdued. 

Not 


96  The    History    of  VIRGINIA.       Book  II. 

1609.  Not   long  after,   the   Prefident,    pafling   by   Pafpahey   in 

"^"■"^v""^  in  his  Way  to  Cbickahominy^  was  aflaulted  by  them.  But 
John  Smith  ^g  {qow  as  they  knew  him,  they  all  threw  down  their  Arms, 
and  fued  for  Peace.  Their  Spokefman  was  a  lufty  young 
Fellow,  named  Okaning^  whofe  Difcourfe  well  deferves  to 
be  remembered.  He  told  the  Prefident,  that  the  King,  his 
Mafl:er,  was  there  prefent  in  the  Company :  That  they 
took  him  for  Captain  IVynne^  who  purfued  them  In 
War,  altho'  they  had  never  injured  him:  That  if  the  King 
offended  him  in  efcaping  from  Prifon,  he  ought  to  confider, 
that  the  Fifhes  fwim,  the  Fowls  fly,  and  the  very  Beafts 
ftrive  to  efcape  the  Snare  and  live :  That  therefore,  his 
Mafter,  who  was  a  Man,  ought  not  to  be  blamed,  for 
following  this  neceffary  Inftin6t  of  Nature  even  in  brute 
Animals.  He  reminded  him  of  the  Pains,  his  Mafter 
took,  to  fave  his  Life,  when  a  Prifoner  ;  and  if  he  had  fince 
injured  him,  he  was  compelled  to  it,  and  it  had  however 
been  already  fully  revenged,  to  their  too  great  Lofs.  And 
he  further  told  him,  if  he  ftill  perfifted  in  his  Refolution  to 
deftroy  them,  they  muft  abandon  their  Habitation,  and  fet- 
tle fomewhere  beyond  his  Reach  ;  which  would  only  coft 
them  more  Labour,  but  would  be  of  worfe  Confequence 
to  the  Englt/h^  who  could  not  well  fubfift  without  their 
Corn  and  Fruits.  And  therefore  he  earneftly  entreated  him 
to  grant  them  his  Friendftiip,  and  to  permit  them  to  enjoy 
their  Houfes,  and  plant  their  Fields,  in  Peace  and  Security. 
Concluding,  that  if  he  would  promife  them  Peace,  they 
would  truft  to  his  Word ;  but  if  he  proceeded  in  his  Re- 
venge, they  would  quit  the  Country.  Whereupon  the 
Prefident  promifed  them  Peace,  if  they  would  do  no  far- 
ther Injury,  and  would  bring  in  Provifions  to  the  Fort. 
To  which  they  joyfully  agreed,  and  parted  good  Friends, 
and  fo  continued,  till  S?nith  left  the  Country. 

Soon  after  this,  an  Indian^  who  had  been  imprifoned 
at  fames-Town  for  Theft,  had  fo  ftifled  himfelf,  by  a  Char- 
coal Fire  in  a  clofe  Room  of  the  Prifon,  that  he  feemed  to 
be  dead.  But  the  Prefident,  by  the  Application  of  Vinegar 
and  Aqua-vitee^  brought  him  to  himfelf,  which  was  foon 
fpread  abroad  among  the  Indians^  throughout  the  whole 
Country,  as  a  Miracle  ;  and  it  was  generally  believed,  that 
Captain  Smith  could  raife  a  dead  Man  to  Life.  And  another 
at  IVerowocomoco^  having  got  a  large  Bag  of  Powder,  to 
fhew  his  extraordinary  Skill  among  his  Companions,  dried 
it  on  the  Back  of  an  Armour,  as  he  had  feen  the  Soldiers 
at  fames-Town  do.  Many  ftood  peeping  over,  to  fee  his 
Skill ;  till  at  laft  it  took  Fire,  and  blew  him,  with  one  or 
two  more,  to  Death,  and  fo  fcorched  and  mangled  the  reft, 

that 


Prefident. 


Book  11.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  97 

that  it  raifed  a  vaft  Dread  and  Aftonifhment  in  them,  and     '609. 

a  great  Admiration  of  the  Power  and   Art  of  the  Englijh.  ^ y ' 

Thefe,  with  fome  other  Accidents,  fo  frighted  and  amazed  ^"^^ '^'""^ 
Powhatan  and  his  People,  that  they  flocked  from  all  Parts, 
and  with  Prefents  defired  Peace  ;  returning  many  ftolen 
Things,  which  had  never  been  demanded,  or  thought  of,  by 
the  Englijh.  And  ever  after,  during  the  Remainder  of  Capt. 
Smith's  Adminiftration,  both  Powhatan  and  his  People  would 
fend  back  to  fames-Town  fuch,  as  had  been  taken  ftealing,  to 
receive  their  Punifliment ;  and  the  whole  Country  became 
as  abfolutely  free  and  fafe  to  the  Englijh.,  as  to  themfelves. 

And  now  the  Colony  purfued  their  Bufinefs  with  Ala- 
crity and  Succefs.  They  made  three  or  four  LafI:  of  Tar, 
Pitch,  and  Soap-Afties  ;  produced  a  Trial  of  Glafs  ;  funk 
a  Well  in  the  Fort,  of  excellent  Water,  which  till  then 
was  wanting ;  built  about  twenty  Houfes ;  new-covered 
the  Church  ;  provided  Nets  and  Weirs  for  fiftiing  ;  and  to 
ftop  the  Diforders  of  the  Thieves  and  Indians.,  they  built  a 
Block-houfe  in  the  Neck  of  the  Ifland,  to  receive  the  Trade 
of  the  Indians  ;  and  none,  neither  Indian  nor  Chriftian,  was 
fuffered  to  pafs  or  repafs,  without  the  Prefident's  Order. 
Thirty  or  forty  Acres  of  Ground  were  broke  up  and  planted. 
Of  three  Sows,  in  eighteen  Months,  increafed  fixty  odd 
Pigs  ;  and  near  five  hundred  Chickens  brought  up  them- 
felves, without  having  any  thing  given  them.  But  the 
Hogs  were  tranfported  to  Hog-Ifland  ;  where  alfo  was  built 
a  Block-houfe,  with  a  Garrifon,  to  give  Notice  of  any 
Ships  \  and  for  their  Exercife  at  leifure  Times,  they  made 
Clapboard  and  Wainfcot.  In  this  Time,  died  Captain 
Wynne  \  fo  that  the  Government  devolved  wholly  upon  the 
Prefident,  as  it  had  before  in  Effedl  done,  by  his  having 
two  Voices  in  the  Council. 

But  this  Flow  of  Plenty  and  Profperity  lafted  not  long. 
For,  upon  Examination,  they  found  half  their  Corn  rotten, 
and  the  reft  confumed  by  Rats  ;  which,  coming  originally 
from  the  Ships,  had  increafed  to  incredible  Multitudes.  So 
that  all  Works  were  intermitted,  and  the  People  fufficiently 
employed  to  get  Provifions.  But  at  firft,  the  Indians^  to 
exprefs  their  Love,  brought  in  an  hundred  a  Day,  at  leaft, 
of  Squirrels,  Turkies,  Deer,  and  other  wild  Beafts  ;  and 
Powhatan  fpared  them  near  half  his  Stock  of  Corn.  But 
the  Prefident  was  neverthelefs  obliged  to  detach  fixty  or 
eighty  down  the  River,  to  live  upon  Oyfters.  Twenty 
were  fent  to  the  Falls  with  Mr.  We/i  \  and  as  many  more 
with  Lieutenant  Percy  to  Point  Comfort.,  to  try  for  a  Fifhery. 
But  he  being  very  fick,  and  forely  burnt  with  Gun-powder, 
they  would  not  agree  in  fix  Weeks,  once  to  caft  out  their 
15  H  Net. 


98  rbe   History    of  VIRGINIA.        Book  11. 

1609.  Net.  A4any  were  billetted  among  the  Indians^  who  knew, 
^■~  v""^  that  they  had  fuch  a  commanding  Power  at  fames-Town^ 
John  Smith  j-j^^^.  ^Yiey  durft  not  wrong  them  in  the  leaft.  And  in  all 
this  Time  of  Diftrefs,  they  caught  more  Sturgeon  than 
could  be  devoured  by  Man  and  Dog.  This  the  induftri- 
ous,  drying  and  pounding,  would  mingle  with  Caviare, 
Sorrel,  and  wholefome  Herbs,  and  make  Bread  and  good 
Meat.  Others  would  gather  as  much  Tuckahoe  Root  in 
a  Day,  as  would  make  them  Bread  for  a  Week.  So  that, 
upon  thefe  wild  Produ6ls,  and  what  they  caught,  the  de- 
ligent  lived  very  well  and  plentifully. 

Yet  fuch  was  the  infufFerable  Sloth  and  unreafonable 
Perverfenefs  of  far  the  greater  Number,  that  they  would 
fooner  have  perifhed,  than  have  been  at  the  Pains  to  gather 
Food.  And  they  were  even  importunate  with  the  Prefi- 
dent,  to  fell  their  Tools  and  Iron,  nav,  their  Swords  and 
Firelocks,  and  their  very  Houfes  and  Ordinance,  to  the 
Indians  for  this  Trafh.  And  they  took  Occafion  from  hence, 
in  a  very  turbulent  and  clamorous  Manner,  to  infift  on  the 
Neceility  of  leaving  the  Country.  But  the  Prefident,  hav- 
ing punifhed  one  of  the  worft  and  moft  feditious  among 
them,  called  the  reft  together,  and  reprefented  to  them  the 
extreme  Folly  and  Iniquity  of  their  Proceedings.  And  he 
told  them,  that  if  any  more  were  found  attempting  to  run 
away  to  Newfoundland  with  the  Bark,  they  might  afluredly 
expert  the  Gallows,  as  their  Fate  :  That  he  never  had  more 
from  the  Store  than  the  worft  of  them  ;  for  they  well  knew 
and  faw,  that  his  extraordinary  Allowance,  as  Prefident, 
was  conftantly  diftributed  among  the  Sick  :  and.  That  fmce 
he  found,  Neceffity  had  not  Power  to  force  them  to  gather 
the  Fruits  of  the  Earth,  he  was  refolved,  that  they  fliould 
gather,  not  only  for  themfelves,  but  alfo  for  the  Sick  ;  and 
that  whofoever  would  not  gather,  every  Day,  as  much,  as 
he  himfelf  did,  fhould,  the  next  Day,  be  fet  beyond  the  Ri- 
ver, and  baniftied  from  the  Fort,  as  a  Drone.  This  Order 
raifed  a  great  Clamour  and  Outcry  ;  but  it  made  moft  of 
them  beftir  themfelves  fo  well,  that  they  had  Plenty  of  Food 
to  eat,  and  continued  very  healthy  and  ftrong.  Yet  many 
of  them,  underftanding,  how  well  they  were  ufed,  that 
were  billetted  among  the  Indians^  ran  away  to  Kemps  and 
Tujfore^  their  old  Prifoners.  But  Kemps  firft  made  himfelf 
Sport  with  them,  fhewing  his  Countrymen,  how  he 
was  ufed,  when  a  Prifoner,  and  feeding  them  upon  this 
Condition,  that  they,  who  would  not  work,  fhould  not  eat  ; 
and  then  he  carried  them  back,  by  Force,  to  the  Prefident. 
This  deterred  many  others,  who  intended  to  follow ;  and 
made  them  content,  rather  to  labour  at  home,  than  venture 

among 


Book  II.     rhe    History    of  VIRGINIA.  99 

among  the  Indians.     For  the  Kings,  and  better  Sort  of  that      1609. 

People,  were   fo   afraid,  or   fo   friendly,  that   when   the   £n-'^~^~y ' 

gl/Jh  puniflied  fome  of  their  bafer  Sort  with  great  Severity,  J''^-^"  •^'""^ 
they  would   hire  them,   not  to   tell  it    to    their   Kings    or 
Countrymen  ;  left  they  fhould  punifh  them  again,  and  fend 
them  to  'James-Town^  to  give  full  Satisfaction  to  the  Prefident. 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Sicklemore  returned  from  Cha- 
wonock  \  but  without  any  Information  of  Sir  Walter  Ralegh\ 
loft  Company,  or  fatisfaClory  Account  of  the  Silk-grafs. 
And  the  Prefident,  to  purfue  a  Point,  thought  fo  neceffary 
bv  the  Council  in  England.^  fent  ofF  Mr.  Nathaniel  Powel 
and  Anas  Todkill.,  to  the  Ma7tgoags^  a  Nation  of  Indians.^ 
not  fubjeft  to  Powhatan^  dwelling  on  the  upper  Branches 
of  Nottozuay^  or  fome  fmall  Streams  of  Roanoke  River,  He 
obtained  Guides  from  the  King  of  the  ^uiyoughquohanocks.^ 
a  fmall  Nation  of  Indians.,  feated  on  the  South  Side  of  "James 
River,  about  ten  Miles  above  James-Town.  This  good 
.King  did  ever  afFe6l  the  Englijh  above  all  others  ;  and  al- 
tho'  he  was  very  zealous  to  his  falfe  Gods,  yet  he  con- 
feffed,  that  the  Englijh  God  as  much  exceeded  his,  as  their 
Guns  did  his  Bow  and  Arrows  ;  and  in  Time  of  Drought, 
he  would  often  fend  Prefents  to  Captain  Smithy  to  pray 
to  his  God  for  Rain.  His  Guides  conducSled  Powel  and 
Todkill.,  three  Days  Journey,  into  a  high  Country,  towards 
the  South-WeJ} ;  where  they  faw,  here  and  there,  a  Corn- 
field, by  fome  little  Spring  or  fmall  Brook,  but  no  large 
River.  The  People  were,  in  all  Refpe6ls,  like  the  reft, 
except  their  Language.  They  lived  chiefly  by  hunting,  and 
on  Fruits  and  Roots ;  and  they  trafficked  their  Skins  with 
thofe  towards  the  Sea  and  fatter  Countries, -for  dried  Fifh 
and  Corn.  But  neither  did  they  here,  or  ever  after,  hear 
any  thing  of  this  Colony,  left  by  Mr.  White.,  in  the  Year 
1587,  on  one  of  the  Iflands  o{  Hatteras. 

All  this  while,  they  employed  one  Willia?n  Volday.,  a 
Zwitxer.,  by  Promifes  and  Pardons  to  reclaim  his  Country- 
men, the  Germans.,  and  one  Bentley.,  another  Fugitive.  But 
this  vile  Hypocrite,  pretending  highly  to  deteft  their  Vil- 
lany,  hereby  got  an  Opportunity,  to  convey  them  every 
thing,  they  wanted,  to  effedl  their  Projects,  and  deftroy 
the  Colony.  With  much  Devotion  they  looked  for  the 
Spaniard.,  to  whom  they  were  willing  and  intended  to  do 
good  Service.  And  finding,  X.\\e  Eiiglijh  were  obliged  to 
difperfe  themfelves  to  gather  Food,  they  importuned  Pow- 
hatan to  lend  them  his  Forces ;  and  they  undertook,  not 
only  to  deftroy  the  Hogs,  fire  the  Town,  and  feize  on  the 
Bark,  but  to  bring  moft  of  the  Colony  to  his  Service  and 
Subjection.  This  Scheme  was  communicated  to  many  of 
their  Confederates  at  the  Fort  ;  but  two,  whofe  Hearts  re- 

H   2  lented 


loo  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  II. 

1639.  lented  at  the  Horror  of  the  A61,  revealed  it  to  the  Prefi- 
'  Y  'dent.  He  ordered  them  to  keep  it  ftill  a  Secret,  and  to 
John  Smith  j^^^  them  into  fuch  Ambufcades,  as  he  had  prepared. 
But  the  thing  taking  Air,  and  coming  to  the  Ears  of  the 
impatient  Multitude,  they  were  outrageous  to  go  and  de- 
ftroy  them  immediately.  Lieutenant  Percy  and  Mr.  John 
Codr'ington^  two  Gentlemen  of  high  and  refolute  Spirits, 
offered  their  Service,  to  go  to  TVerowocomoco^  and  to  cut 
their  Throats  before  the  Face  of  Powhatan.  But  the  Pre- 
fident  cared  not  to  hazard  fuch  Perfons,  for  whom  he  had 
other  Employment  ;  and  gave  Way  to  Mr.  Wyjffin  and  Ser- 
jeant "Jeffery  Abbot^  to  undertake  the  Matter.  But  the 
Germans  fo  blinded  Abbot^  with  a  fair  Tale,  that  he  relent- 
ed ;  and  IVyffin^  tho'  willing,  cared  not  to  attempt  it  alone. 
When  Powhatan  underftood  their  Bufinefs,  he  fent  imme- 
diately to  the  Prefident,  to  inform  him,  that  he  neither  de- 
tained them,  nor  hindered  his  Men  from  executing  his 
Command.  For  he  neither  did,  nor  would,  maintain  them, 
or  any  other,  to  his  Difpleafure.  But  altho'  thefe  treache- 
rous Foreigners  did  all,  they  could,  to  raife  and  incenfe 
Powhatan  and  the  Indians  againft  the  EngUJh.,  yet  fuch  ex- 
a(5t  Intelligence  had  Captain  Smith  of  their  Plots,  that  their 
Machinations  were  his  greateft  Advantage  and  Security. 
And  if  any  Commotion  had  happened,  he  always  had  it  in 
his  Power  to  take  Revenge.  For  all  the  Country  now  flood 
more  in  Fear  of  him,  than  of  Powhatan  ;  and  he  had  fuch 
Parties  among  the  bordering  Nations,  that,  out  of  Love  or 
Fear,  they  would  have  done  any  thing,  he  commanded. 
However,  not  long  after,  one  of  the  Germans  returned  to 
his  Duty  ;   but' the  other  (till  remained  with  Powhatan. 

W  H  I  L  s  T  thefe  things  were  pafling.  Captain  Samuel  Ar- 
gall  arrived,  who  was  afterwards  an  active  Perfon  here, 
and  a  noted  Governor  of  the  Country.  He  came  to  truck 
with  the  Colony,  and  to  fifh  for  Sturgeon,  with  a  Ship 
well  furnifhed  with  Wine  and  other  good  Provifion.  This 
was,  at  that  Time,  a  prohibited  Trade;  but  he  being  a 
Kinfman  to  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  the  Treafurer,  it  was  con- 
nived at  and  overlooked.  The  Neceffities  of  the  Colony 
obliged  them  to  take  his  Provifions,  by  which  his  Voyage 
was  loft  ;  but  they  revi61:ualled  him,  when  their  next  Sup- 
ply arrived,  and  fent  him  to  England  with  a  full  Account  of 
the  State  of  their  Affairs.  By  this  Ship,  they  received  Let- 
ters, which  taxed  the  Prel'ident  for  his  hard  Ufage  of  the 
Natives,  and  for  not  returning  the  Ships  freighted.  And 
now  alfo,  they  firft  had  an  Account  of  the  Alterations  in 
England.,  and  of  the  great  Preparations  and  large  Supply, 
to  be  fent  by  the  Lord  Delawarr.,  appointed  Captain-Gene- 
ral and  Governor  in  Chief  of  Virginia. 

THE 


lOl 


-V.-*..:       ■   "^^C  r^'^^i^C;  r.-'^^iO  r^'^0iACj  :~j^-'^ii^..c-   :-  ~^^..  Iv*.-.' . 

THE 

HISTORY 


OF 


VIRGINIA. 


BOOK    III. 


pg5^.,J^2^HE  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Company  in 
^aM^^'^^  England^  were  ilill  intent  upon  prefent  Gain, 
{^  'T^  fi3  snd  gaping  after  the  Mines  of  Mexico  and 
|^£j.  ^_  t?^  P^r«  from  their  Difcovery  ;  and  upon  the 
a£>H.-rsii^  laft  Voyage,  not  finding;  that  Profit  and  Re- 
turn,  they  expected,  they  were  much  dil- 
appointed  and  enraged.  To  this  was  added  Newporfs,  Ac- 
count of  things,  which  was  certainly  not  very  favourable 
to  their  Conduct  and  Management  in  Virginia.  The  Com- 
pany therefore  made  Intereft  to  his  Majefly,  to  grant  them 
a  new  Charter,  which  bears  Date  the  23d  of  May  1609, 
and  contains  larger  Powers  and  more  ample  Privileges,  than 
the  former ;  as  may  be  feen  in  the  Original,  printed  at 
large  in  the  Appendix.  By  this  Charter  the  Power  and  Au- 
thority of  the  Prefident  and  Council  in  Virginia  were  ex- 
prefly  abrogated  ;  and  they  were  ftreightly  commanded, 
upon  their  Allegiance,  to  pay  Obedience  to  fuch  Governor  or 
Governors,  as  (hould  be  appointed  by  the  Council  in  England. 
In  Confequence  of  which  Power,  the  Council  conftituted 
Sir  Thomas  IVeJl.,  Lord  Delawarr^  Captain-General  of  Vir- 
ginia ;  Sir  Thomas  Gates.,  his  Lieutenant-General  ;  Sir 
George  Somers^  Admiral ;  Captain  Nezuport^  Vice-Admiral  ; 
Sir  Thomas  Dale.,  High-Marfhal  ;  Sir  Ferdinando  Waiyiman., 
General  of  the  Horfe  ;  and  fo,  many  other  Offices,  to  fe- 
veral  worthy  Gentlemen,  for  their  Lives. 

H  3  This 


1609. 


John  Smith 
Prefident. 


102  "The   History    of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1609.         This  new  Charter  was  granted  to  the  Earls  of  Salif- 

' , bury^    Suffolk^    Southampton^   Pembroke^  and   other   Peers,   to 

John  Smith  j-j^g    Number   of   twenty    one ;    to  the    Honourable    George 
Prefident.    p^^^^  ^^^  Francis  WeJl',Y.{^x%;  to  Sir  Humphrey  Weld,  Lord 
Mayor   of   London,  and    ninety    eight    other    Knights,   ex- 
prelly  named  ;  and  to  Dr.  Matthew  Sutcliffe,  with  a  great 
Multitude  more,  of   Do6lors,    Efquires,  Gentlemen,  Offi- 
cers,  Merchants,  and  Citizens,  together  with   many  Cor- 
porations and   Companies  of  London.      So  many  Perfons  of 
great  Power,  Intereft,  and  Fortune,  engaging  in  the  En- 
terprize,  and  the  Lord  Delawarr,  with  the  other  Gentle- 
men, af  Diftin6lion,  appointed  to  the  feveral  Offices,  foon 
diVw:  i-n,  fuch   large   Sums  of  Money,  that   they  difpatched 
away    Sir    Thomas    Gates,   Sir    George    Somers,   and    Captain 
K^ev^pori,  with  nine  Ships,  and  five  hundred  People,     Thefe 
three   Gentlemen  had,   each   of  them,  a   Commiffion,  who 
firft  arrived,  to  call  in  the  old.      But  becaufe  they  could  not 
agree  for  Place,  it  was  concluded,  that  they  fliould  all  go 
in  one  Ship,  called  the  Sea-Venture.     They  failed  from  En- 
gland, the  latter  End  of  May  1609  ;  but  the  25th  of  July, 
the  Admiral-Ship  was  parted  from  the  reft  of  the  Fleet,  by 
the  Tail  of  a  Hurricane,  having  on  board  the  three  Com- 
manders, an   hundred  and   fifty   Men,  their  new  Commif- 
fion, and  Bills  of  Lading,  together  with  all  Manner  of  In- 
ftru<5lions  and  Dire6lions,  and  the  beft  Part  of  their  Provi- 
fions.      She  arrived  not,  but  was  foundered  on  Bermudas, 
as  fhall  be  hereafter  related.      A  fmall  Catch  likewife  perifh- 
ed  in  the  Hurricane  ;  but  the  feven  other  Ships  came  fafe. 
In  them,  as   Captains,  came  RatcUffe  (whofe  right  Name, 
as   is  faid,  was   Sicklemore)   Martin,   and   Archer,  with    Cap- 
tain   Wood,   Captain    Webbe,   Captain   Moon,  Captain  King, 
Captain  Davies,  Mr.  Ralph  Hamer,  and  divers  other  Gen- 
tlemen, of  good  Fortune,  and  eminent   Birth.     The  Prefi- 
dent,  being  informed  by  his   Scouts   of  the   Arrival  of  this 
Fleet,  little  dreamed  of  fuch  a  Supply,  but  fuppofed  them, 
at  firft,  to  be  Spaniards.      He  therefore  put  himfelf  into  the 
beft  Pofture  of  Defence,  he  could  ;  and  being  feconded  by 
the  Indians  (who,  upon  this  Occafion,  ftiewed  their  Friend- 
fliip,  and   prepared,  with  great   Alacrity,  to  affift  the  En- 
glijlo  with  their  utmoft  Power)  they  thought  themfelves  fo 
well  provided   for   the   Reception  of  an   Enemy,  that  they 
little  feared  their  Coming. 

RatcUffe,  Martin,  and  Archer,  had  bred  much  Diftur- 
bance  at  Sea,  and  had  paved  the  Way,  for  being  even  more 
troublefome  afhore.  For  they  had  infufed  fuch  Jealoufies 
and  Prejudices  into  the  Company  againft  Captain  Sryiith, 
that   they   mortally   hated   him,   before   they   had   ever  feen 

him. 


Book  III.     TZv   History   of  VIRGINIA.  103 

him.      But  feveral  of  better  Senfe  and    Experience  among      1609. 

them,    from    their    firft    landing,    hearing   the   general    good ' r— — ' 

Report  of  his  old  Soldiers,  and  feeing  the  Prudence  and  Up-  7"^"  ^""'^ 
rightnefs  of  his  A6lions,  were  foon  undeceived,  and  faw 
into  the  Malice  of  RatcUffe  and  his  Faction.  They  there- 
fore left  their  Society,  and  ever  adhered  to  Captain  Smithy 
as  his  firm  and  faithful  Friends.  But  a  great  Part  of  this 
new  Company  confifted  of  unruly  Sparks,  packed  off  by 
their  Friends,  to  efcape  worfe  Deftinies  at  home.  And  the 
reft  were  chiefly  made  up  of  poor  Gentlemen,  broken 
Tradefmen,  Rakes  and  Libertines,  Footmen,  and  fuch 
others,  as  were  much  fitter  to  fpoil  or  ruin  a  Common- 
wealth, than  to  help  to  raife  or  maintain  one.  This  lewd 
Company  therefore  were  led  by  their  feditious  Captains, 
into  many  Mifchiefs  and  Extravagancies.  They  afliimed 
to  themfelves  the  Power  of  difpofing  of  the  Government ; 
and  conferred  it  fometimes  on  one,  and  fometimes  on  ano- 
ther. To-day,  the  old  Commiffion  muft  rule  ;  To-morrow, 
the  new  ;  and  next  Day,  neither.  So  that,  all  was  Anar- 
chy and  Diftra6lion  ;  neither  were  there  any  Hopes,  from 
the  prefent  Pofture  of  Affairs,  but  of  the  utmoft  Mifery 
and  Confufion. 

The  Ger??ian  alfo,  that  had  returned  to  the  Englifh^ 
feeing  this  diftra6led  State  of  things,  and  hoping  for  fome 
Advantage  from  it,  fled  again,  with  one  of  his  Conforts, 
to  Potvhatan  \  to  whom  he  promifed  Wonders,  at  the  Ar- 
rival of  Lord  Delaiuarr.  But  that  fenfible  Barbarian, 
knowing  the  Wickednefs  and  Perfidy  of  their  Nature,  re- 
plied ;  That  they,  who  would  have  betrayed  Captain 
S)nith  to  him,  would  certainly  betray  him  to  this  great 
Lord,  to  make  their  Peace.  And  fo,  he  ordered  his  Men, 
to  beat  out  their  Brains.  But  Volday^  the  Zwitzer^  made 
a  (hift  to  get  to  England;  where  purfuading  the  Merchants, 
what  rich  Mines  he  had  found,  and  what  Services  he  would 
do  them,  he  was  well  rewarded,  and  fent  back  with  the 
Lord  Delatvarr.  But  being  found  a  mere  Impoftor,  he  died 
in  a  moft  contemned  and  miferable  Manner. 

Captain  Smithy  all  this  Time  of  Turbulency  and 
Diftra6lion,  was  fadly  troubled  and  perplexed,  how  to  pro- 
ceed. At  firft,  finding  his  Authority  thus  unexpectedly 
cancelled  and  changed,  he  refolved  to  leave  all,  and  return 
for  England.  But  afterwards,  feeing,  there  was  little  Hope 
of  the  Arrival  of  this  new  Commiilion,  and  that  his  own 
was  not  legally  fuperfeded,  but  by  the  aClual  Produdtion  ot 
another,  he  determined  to  bear  up,  and  to  a6t  with  Vigor 
and  Refolution.  He  therefore  fet  himfelf,  with  great  Cou- 
rage, and  the  perpetual   Hazard  of  his  Life,  to  oppofe  this 

H  4  Tor- 


The   History    of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

rent  of  Faction  and  Immorality  ;  and  at  laft,  fo  far  mafter- 
ed  it,  that  he  caft  Ratcliffe^  Archer^  and  the  other  Chiefs, 
John  Smith  jj^j-q  Prifon,  till  he  had  more  Leifure,  to  bring  them  to  a 
fair  and  legal  Trial.  And  the  better  to  diflipate  the  Hu- 
mours, and  to  break  their  Confederacies,  he  fent  Mr.  Wejl^ 
with  an  hundred  and  twenty,  the  beft,  he  could  chufe,  to 
make  a  Settlement  at  the  Falls  ;  and  Martin^  with  near  the 
fame  Number,  to  Nanfamond;  allowing  each  their  due  Pro- 
portion of  all  the  Provifions,  according  to  their  Number. 
And  now  the  Year  of  his  Prefidency  being  near  expired,  he 
made  Captain  Martin^  who  was  become  more  tra6lable, 
Prefident  in  his  Room.  But  Martin^  knowing  his  own  In- 
fufficiency,  and  the  People's  Unrulinefs  and  little  Regard 
for  him,  within  three  Hours,  refigned  it  again  to  Captain 
S)nith.  For  as  Ratcliff'e  had  been  removed  from  the  Coun- 
cil, and  was  not  again  reftored,  Martin  and  Smith  were  the 
only  two  then  in  the  Country,  that  could  either  ele6l,  or  be 
elected  Prefident.  And  Martin^  having  thus  wifely  difen- 
gaged  himfelf  from  an  Office,  which  he  was  then  no  ways 
able  to  execute  or  fupport,  proceeded  to  make  his  Settle- 
ment at  Nanfamond.  That  Nation,  having  been  reduced  to 
Subjedlion  and  Contribution,  ufed  him  kindly ;  yet  fuch 
were  his  unreafonable  Jealoufy  and  Fear,  that  he  furprifed  the 
poor  naked  King,  and  his  Monuments  and  Houfes,  with 
the  Ifland,  wherein  he  lived,  and  there  fortified  himfelf. 
But  the  Indians^  foon  perceiving  his  Fear  and  Diftra6lion, 
ventured  to  affault  him  ;  and  they  killed  feveral  of  his  Men, 
releafed  their  King,  and  gathered  and  carried  off  a  thoufand 
Bufhels  of  Corn;  whilft  he,  in  the  mean  while,  never  once 
offered  to  intercept  them,  but  fent  to  the  Prefident,  then 
at  the  Falls,  for  thirty  Soldiers.  Thefe  were  prefently  fent 
him,  from  fames-Town.  But  he  fo  employed  them,  that 
they  did  nothing,  and  foon  returned,  complaining  of  his 
Tendernefs  and  Cowardice.  And  he  likewife,  leaving  his 
Company  to  their  Fortunes,  came  away  with  them  to 
fames-Town. 

The  Prefident  followed  the  other  Company  up  to  the 
Falls,  to  fee  them  well  feated.  But  he  was  furprifed,  in 
his  Way,  to  meet  Captain  Weft.,  fo  foon  returning  to  fames- 
Town  ;  and  he  found  the  Settlement  very  inconfiderately 
made,  in  a  Place,  not  only  liable  to  the  River's  Inundation, 
but  alfo  fubje6l  to  many  other  intolerable  Inconveniences. 
To  remedy  which,  he  immediately  fent  to  Powhatan.,  to 
purchafe  the  Place,  called  Poiuhatan.  The  Conditions  of 
their  Agreement  were  thefe  :  That  the  Englijh  fhould  de- 
fend him-  againft  the  Manak'ins :  That  he  fhould  refign  to 
them  the  Fort  and  the  Houfes,  with  all  that  Country,  for  a 

Pro- 


Book  III.     T:he    History    of  VIRGINIA.  105 

Proportion  of  Copper :    That   all  Thieves  fliould    be  fent      1609. 

thither,  to  receive  their  Punifliment :  That   every   Houfe,  ^ y ' 

as  a  Cuftom,  fhould  pay  the  Prefident  a  Bufhel  of  Corn,  ^-^^ '^'"''^ 
for  an  Inch  fquare  of  Copper,  and  a  certain  Quantity  of  '^^  ^"*" 
Pocones  to  King  James^  for  their  Prote6tion  :  and,  That 
they  fhould  barter,  what  elfe  they  could  fpare,  at  their  beft 
Difcretion.  But  Captain  Weji's  Company  depended  fo 
much  on  the  Lord  General's  new  Commiflion,  that  they 
regarded  no  Perfon  or  thing.  And  fuppofing  the  Mana- 
kins'  Country  reached  to  the  South-Sea^  and  was  all  Gold, 
they  pleafed  themfelves  with  the  vain  Conceit,  that  it  was 
entirely  under  their  Power  and  Command,  and  that  none 
fhould  go  thither,  but  whom  they  pleafed.  They  therefore 
reje6led  the  Prefident  with  Infolence  and  Contempt.  How- 
ever he  ventured,  with  five  Men,  to  land  among  them  ; 
and  committed  the  Heads  of  the  Mutiny  to  Prifon,  till,  by 
their  Numbers,  they  obliged  him  to  retire.  In  making  off, 
he  happily  furprifed  one  of  their  Boats,  with  which  he  re- 
turned to  the  Ship  ;  and  had  not  the  Mariners  proved  very 
tra6lable  and  faithful  to  him,  he  had  fmall  Means  and  little 
Probability  of  efcaping  their  Fury. 

The  Indians  alfo  came  to  him;  complaining,  that  he 
had  brought  them,  for  Protestors,  worfe  Enemies,  than 
the  Manakins  themfelves  ;  that  they  ffcole  their  Corn,  rob- 
bed their  Gardens,  broke  open  their  Houfes,  beat  them, 
and  kept  feveral  in  Prifon  ;  and  that,  till  then,  they  had 
borne  all  this,  out  of  Love  to  him,  but  defired  Pardon,  if 
hereafter  they  defended  themfelves.  They  likewife  offered 
him  their  Afliftance,  and  to  fight  for  him  againft  them,  if 
he  would  lead  them  on.  But  having  fpent  nine  Days,  to 
no  Purpofe,  in  endeavouring  to  reclaim  them,  he  departed 
for  Janies-Town.  The  Ship  was  no  fooner  under  Sail,  but 
twelve  Indians  afTaulted  thofe  hundred  and  twenty  in  their 
Fort.  And  finding  many  ftraggling  abroad  in  the  Woods, 
they  killed  fome,  and  fo  frighted  the  reft,  that  their  Coun- 
trymen in  Prifon  efcaped,  and  they  went  fafely  off,  with 
the  Swords  and  Cloaks  of  thofe,  they  had  flain.  But  before 
the  Ship  had  failed  half  a  League,  fhe  grounded  ;  which 
gave  the  Prefident  an  Opportunity  of  fummoning  them, 
once  more,  to  a  Parley.  And  now  he  found  them  fo 
amazed  with  that  filly  Aflault  of  the  Indians^  that  they 
furrendered  themfelves,  upon  any  Terms,  to  his  Mercy. 
He  therefore  laid  fix  or  feven  of  the  chief  Offenders  by  the 
Heels  ;  and  feated  the  refl  at  Powhatan^  the  flrongefl  and 
mofl  pleafant  Place,  he  had  feen  in  the  Country  ;  and  for 
that  Reafon,  they  called  it  Nonfuch.  Here  they  had  dry 
Houfes  for  Lodgings,  near  two  hundred  Acres  of  Land, 
16  cleared 


lo6  T'i'^    History   <  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

^609.     cleared  and  ready  for  planting,  with  a  Savage  Fort,  ready 

*       v-^"^  built,  and  prettily  fortified  with  Poles  and   Barks  of  Trees, 

johnSmtth^^^  fufficient  to  have  defended  them  againft  all  the  Indians 

in  the  Countrv.      He  likewife  appeafed  the  Indians^  making 

Reftitution  and  Satisfaftion,  to  each  Party,  for  their  former 

LofTes  and  Damages. 

And  now,  new  Officers  being  appointed,  and  the  Prefi- 
dent  ready  to  depart,  jufl:  at  that  Inftant  arrived  Captain 
M'^eji ;  whofe  gentle  Nature  was  fo  wrought  on  and  abufed, 
by  Compaffion  for  the  Prifoners,  and  the  Perfuafions  of  the 
Mutineers,  who  alledged,  they  had  only  done  this  for  his  Ho- 
nour, that  all  things  were  again  thrown  into  Confufion  and 
Mutinv.  But  the  Prefident,  having  no  Inclination  to  con- 
tend with  Mr.  Weji^  and  little  Power  to  curb  their  Info- 
lence,  left  them  to  their  Fortunes,  and  returned  to  "James- 
Town.  And  foon  after  they  abandoned  Nonfuch.,  and  went 
back  to  their  firft  Settlement  at  IVeJi's-Fort. 

But  paffing  down  the  River,  as  Captain  Smith  was 
afleep  in  the  Boat,  his  Powder-bag,  by  fome  Accident,  was 
fired  ;  which  tore  the  Flefh  from  his  Body  and  Thighs, 
nine  or  ten  Inches  fquare,  in  a  moft  dreadful  Manner,  To 
quench  the  Fire,  which  fryed  and  tormented  him  in  his 
Cloaths,  he  leaped  overboard,  and  was  almoft  drowned,  be- 
fore they  could  recover  him.  In  this  piteous  State,  he  ar- 
rived at  James-Town  ;  where  Ratcliffe^  Archer^  and  the 
reft  of  their  Confederates,  were  foon  to  come  to  their 
Trials.  But  their  guilty  Confciences  mifgiving  them,  and 
feeing  the  Prefident  unable  to  ftand,  and  almoft  bereft  of 
his  Senfes  by  reafon  of  his  Torment,  they  entered  into  a 
Confpiracy  to  Murder  him  in  his  Bed.  But  his  Heart  failed 
him,  who  was  to  have  given  Fire  to  the  Piftol.  And  fo, 
being  difappointed  in  this  Purpofe,  they  joined  together,  to 
ufurp  the  Government,  and  thereby  efcape  their  Punifli- 
ment.  In  the  mean  time,  the  Prefident's  old  Soldiers,  be- 
ing provoked,  beyond  all  Patience,  at  their  Malice  and  Se- 
dition, flocked  to  him,  and  importuned  him  to  give  them 
but  the  Word,  and  they  would  fetch  the  Heads  of  the  bold- 
eft  among  them,  that  durft  refift  his  Commands.  Yet  he 
would  not  fuffer  them  to  bring  the  Matter  to  a  civil  Broil  ; 
but  fent  immediately  for  the  Mafters  of  the  Ships,  and  took 
Order  with  them  for  his  Return  to  England.  For  there 
was  neither  Chirurgeon  nor  Chirurgery  at  the  Fort ;  and 
his  Wounds  were  fo  grievous,  and  Torments  fo  cruel,  that 
few  expeited,  he  could  live.  And  he  likewife  highly  re- 
fented,  and  was  much  chagrined,  to  fee  his  Authority  fup- 
prelFed,  he  knew  not  why  ;  himfelf  and  his  Soldiers  to  be 
rewarded  for  their  paft  Labours  and   Dangers,  he  knew  not 

how  ; 


Book  III.     i:he   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

how  ;  and  a  new  Commiffion  granted,  to  they  knew  not 
whom.  And  befides,  he  found  himfelf  unable  to  follow  his 
Bufinefs,  fupprefs  thofe  Fa6lions,  and  range  the  Country  y°'^"  ^'"''^ 
for  Provifions,  as  he  before  intended.  And  he  well  knew,  "^'  ^"'^' 
that  his  own  Prefence  and  Adlivity  were  as  requifite  in  thofe 
Affairs,  as  his  Advice  and  Dire6i:ions.  For  all  which  Rea- 
fons,  he  refolved  upon  leaving  the  Country,  and  went  pre- 
fently  on  board  one  of  the  Ships. 

Captain  Percy  had  been,  for  fome  time,  in  a  very  The  Hon. 
bad  State  of  Health,  and  had  taken  his  Paffage  in  one  of  the  George  Percy 
Ships,  to  go  to  England.  But  now,  upon  Smith's  Depar--^*^' ^°^'^''' 
ture,  many  came  about  him,  and  by  Intreaties  and  Per- 
fuafions,  prevailed  with  him  to  ftay,  and  take  upon  him  the 
Government.  But  there  were  many  others  up  in  Arms, 
calling  themfelves  Prefidents  and  Counfellors ;  feveral  of 
which  began  now  to  fawn  upon  and  follicite  Smithy  to  give 
up  his  Commiffion  to  them.  And  after  much  ado,  and 
many  bitter  Repulfes,  that  their  Ruin  and  Confufion  might 
not  be  attributed  to  him,  for  leaving  the  Country  without 
a  Commiffion,  he  permitted  it  to  be  ftolen,  but  never  could 
be  induced  to  refign  it  into  fuch  vile  Hands.  In  which  he 
feems  to  have  been  fomething  froward  and  peevifh.  For 
fince  the  old  Soldiers,  and  better  Sort  of  new  Comers,  had 
generally  agreed  upon  Captain  Percy  for  their  Governor,  a 
Perfon  every  way  fit  for  the  Office,  except  in  Point  of 
Health,  it  would  have  been  but  reafonable  in  him,  to  have 
endeavoured  to  confirm  him  in  his  Authority,  and  when 
he  departed,  to  have  delivered  up  his  Commiffion  to  him. 

And  thus,  about  Michaelmas  1609,  Captain  Smith  left 
the  Country,  never  again  to  fee  it.  He  left  behind  him 
three  Ships  and  feven  Boats  ;  Commodities  ready  for  Trade  ; 
the  Corn  newly  gathered ;  ten  Weeks  Provifion  in  the 
Store  ;  four  hundred  ninety  and  odd  Perfons  ;  twenty  four 
Pieces  of  Ordinance  ;  three  hundred  Mufkets,  with  other 
Arms  and  Ammunition,  more  than  fufficient  for  the  Men  ; 
the  Indians^  their  Language,  and  Habitations,  well  known 
to  an  hundred  trained  and  expert  Soldiers  ;  Nets  for  fifhing; 
Tools,  of  all  Sorts,  to  work  ;  Apparel,  to  fupply  their 
Wants  ;  fix  Mares  and  a  Horfe  ;  five  or  fix  hundred  Hogs  ; 
as  many  Hens  and  Chickens  ;  with  fome  Goats,  and  fome 
Sheep.  For  whatever  had  been  brought,  or  bred  here,  ftill 
remained.  But  this  feditious  and  diftrafted  Rabble,  re- 
garding not  any  thing,  but  from  Hand  to  Mouth,  riotoufly 
confumed,  what  there  was ;  and  took  Care  for  nothing, 
but  to  colour  and  make  out  fome  Complaints  againft  Cap- 
tain Smith.  For  this  End,  the  Ships  were  ftaid  three 
Weeks,   at   a   great    Charge,   till   thev   could   produce   and 

brino; 


i:he   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

bring  them  to  bear.  But,  notwithftanding  their  perverfe 
Humours  and  unreafonable  Clamours,  Captain  Smith  was 
Hon.  undoubtedly  a  Perfon  of  a  very  great  and  generous  Way  of 
jl/qr^Qoyg^^  thinking,  and  full  of  a  high  Idea  of  the  publick  Good  and 
nor.  his  Country's   Honour.     To  his  Vigor,  Induftry,  and  un- 

daunted Spirit  and  Refolution,  the  Eftablifhment  and  firm 
Settlement  of  this  Colony  was  certainly  owing  ;  and  there- 
fore it  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  Reader,  to  have 
fome  farther  Account  of  his  Perfon  and  AiSlions.  And  this 
we  are  enabled  to  do  the  more  authenticly,  as  he  hath  him- 
felf,  at  the  Requeft  of  Sir  Robert  Cotton^  the  famous  Anti- 
quarian, left  a  brief  Relation  of  his  principal  Travels  and 
Adventures. 

H  E  was  born  a  Gentleman,  to  a  competent  Fortune,  at 
Willoughhy  in  Lincoln/hire^  in  the  Year  1579.  From  his 
very  Childhood,  he  had  a  roving  and  romantic  Fancy,  and 
was  ftrangely  fet  upon  performing  fome  brave  and  adven- 
turous Atchievement.  Accordingly,  being  about  thirteen 
Years  of  Age  at  School,  he  fold  his  Satchel  and  Books,  and 
all,  he  had,  to  raife  Money,  in  order  to  go  fecretly  beyond 
Sea.  But  his  Father  dying  juft  at  that  Time,  he  was  {top- 
ped for  the  prefent,  and  fell  into  the  Hands  of  Guardians, 
more  intent  on  improving  his  Eftate,  than  him.  However, 
at  fifteen,  in  the  Year  1594,  he  was  bound  to  a  Merchant 
at  Lynne^  the  moft  confiderable  Trader  in  thofe  Parts. 
But  becaufe  he  would  not  fend  him  immediately  to  Sea,  he 
found  Means,  in  the  Train  of  Mr.  Peregrine  Berty^  fecond 
Son  to  the  Lord  Willoughhy^  to  pafs  into  France.  Here, 
and  in  the  Low-Countries,  he  firft  learnt  the  Rudiments  of 
War  ;  to  which  Profeffion  he  was  led,  by  a  ftrong  Propen- 
fity  of  Genius.  He  was  afterwards  carried  into  Scotland., 
with  delufive  Hopes,  from  a  Scottifh  Gentleman,  of  being 
eff^e6tually  recommended  to  King  yames.  But  foon  find- 
ing himfelf  baffled  in  his  Expectations,  he  returned  to  IVil- 
loughby.,  his  native  Place  ;  where  meeting  with  no  Compa- 
ny, agreeable  to  his  Way  of  thinking,  he  retired  into  a 
Wood,  at  a  good  Diftance  from  any  Town,  and  there 
built  himfelf  a  Pavilion  of  Boughs,  and  was  wholly  em- 
ployed, in  ftudying  fome  Treatifes  of  the  Art  of  War, 
and  in  the  Exercife  of  his  Horfe  and  Lance.  But  his 
Friends,  being  concerned  at  fuch  a  whimfical  Turn  of 
Mind,  prevailed  with  an  Italian  Gentleman,  Rider  to  the 
Earl  of  Lincoln.,  to  infinuate  himfelf  into  his  Acquaintance  ; 
and  as  he  was  an  expert  Horfeman,  and  his  Talent  and  Stu- 
dies lay  the  fame  Way  with  Mr.  Smith''?,^  he  drew  him  from 
his  fylvan  Retirement,  to  fpend  fome  time  with  him  at 
Tatterfall. 

But 


Book  III.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA.  109 

But  Smithes  reftlefs  Genius  foon  hurried  him  again  into 
Flanders ;  where  lamenting  to  fee  fuch  EfFufion  of  Chriftian 
Blood,  he  refolved  to  try  his  Fortune  againft  the  Turks. 
In  order  to  this,  he  pafTed  through  France^  with  Variety 
of  Adventure  and  Misfortune,  in  which  he  always  (hewed 
a  high  and  martial  Spirit.  At  Marfeilles  he  embarked  for 
Italy.  But  the  Ship  meeting  with  much  foul  Weather,  a 
Rabble  of  Pilgrims,  on  board,  hourly  curfed  him  for  a  Hu- 
gonot,  railed  at  Queen  Elizabeth  and  his  whole  Nation, 
and  fwore,  they  fhould  never  have  fair  Weather,  as  long 
as  he  was  in  the  Ship.  At  laft,  the  Paffions  of  thefe  pious 
Chriftians  rofe  fo  high,  that  they  threw  him  overboard ; 
trufUng,  we  may  fuppofe,  in  the  Merit  and  Supererogation 
of  that  holy  Pilgrimage,  to  expiate  the  trifling  Offence  and 
Peccadillo  of  Murder.  However,  Smith.,  by  the  Divine 
Afliftance,  got  fafe  to  a  fmall  uninhabited  Ifland,  againft 
Nice  in  Savoy.  From  thence  he  was,  the  next  Day,  taken 
off  by  a  French  Rover,  who  treated  him  very  kindly,  and 
with  whom  he  therefore  made  the  Tour  of  the  whole  Me- 
diterranean., both  on  the  Mahometan  and  the  Chriftian  Coafts. 
At  length,  after  a  defperate  Battle,  having  taken  a  very 
rich  Venetian  Ship,  the  generous  Frenchman  fet  him  afhore, 
with  his  Share  of  the  Prize  ;  amounting  to  five  hundred  Se- 
queens  in  Specie,  and  a  Box  of  rich  Commodities,  worth 
near  as  much  more.  And  now  out  of  Curiofity  ranging 
all  the  Regions  and  Principalities  of  Italy.,  he  at  laft  went 
to  Vienna.,  and  entered  himfelf  a  Gentleman  Volunteer,  in 
Count  MeldritcV 'i,  Regiment,  againft  the  Turk. 

H  E  had  not  been  long  in  the  Chriftian  Army,  before  he 
was  diftinguifhed  for  a  Man  of  great  perfonal  Bravery  ;  and 
in  the  Sieges  of  Olumpagh  and  Alba-Kegalis.,  he  was  the 
Author  of  fome  Stratagems,  which  ftiewed  a  happy  Talent 
for  War,  and  did  fignal  Service  to  the  Chriftian  Caufe.  He 
was  thereupon  immediately  advanced  to  the  Command  of  a 
Troop  of  Horfe  ;  and  was,  foon  after,  made  Serjeant  Ma- 
jor of  the  Regiment,  a  Poft,  at  that  Time,  next  to  the 
Lieutenant  Colonel.  But  Count  Meldritch.,  a  Tranfilvanian 
Nobleman  by  Birth,  afterwards  paffed  with  his  Regiment, 
out  of  the  Imperial  Service,  into  that  of  his  natural  Prince, 
Sigifmond  Bathori.,  Duke  of  Tranjihania.  And  here,  en- 
deavouring to  recover  fome  patrimonial  Lordftiips,  then  in 
the  Poffeflion  of  the  Turk.,  he  laid  Siege  to  a  ftrong  Town, 
chiefly  inhabited  by  Renegados  and  Banditti.  Whilft  their 
Works  were  advancing  flowly,  and  with  great  Difficulty, 
a  Turkijh  Officer  iffued  forth  of  the  Town,  and  challenged 
any  Chriftian,  of  the  Dignity  of  a  Captain,  to  a  fingle 
Combat.      Many  were  eager  of  the   Honour  of  humbling 

this 


no  The   History  ?/■  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

this  haughty  Muflehnan  ;  but  it  was  at  laft  decided,  by  Lot, 
in  Favour  of  Captain  Smith.  Accordingly,  the  Ramparts 
of  the  Town  being  filled  with  fair  Dames  and  Men  in  Arms, 
and  the  Chriflian  Army  drawn  up  in  Battalia,  the  Comba- 
tants entered  the  Field,  well  mounted  and  richly  armed,  to 
the  Sound  of  Hautboys  and  Trumpets  ;  where,  at  the  firft 
Encounter,  Smith  bore  the  Turk  dead  to  the  Ground,  and 
went  ofF  triumphantly  with  his  Head.  But  the  Infidel  Gar- 
rifon  being  enraged  at  this,  he  afterwards  engaged  two  o- 
ther  Officers  ;  and  being  a  great  Mafter  of  his  Arms,  and 
the  Management  of  his  Horfe,  he  carried  ofF  their  Heads, 
in  the  fame  Manner.  After  which,  being  attended  with  a 
Guard  of  fix  thoufand  Men,  with  the  three  Turkijh  Horfes 
led  before  him,  and  before  each  a  Turk's  Head  upon  a 
Spear,  he  was  conduced  to  the  General's  Pavilion  ;  who 
received  him  with  open  Arms,  and  prefented  him  with  a 
fine  Horfe,  richly  caparifoned,  and  with  a  Scimitar  and 
Belt,  worth  three  hundred  Ducats.  Soon  after,  the  Duke 
himfelf,  coming  to  view  his  Army,  gave  him  his  Pi6lure, 
fet  in  Gold  ;  fettled  three  hundred  Ducats  upon  him,  as  a 
Yearly  Penfion  ;  and  iflued  his  Letters  patent  of  Nobleffe, 
giving  him  three  Turks  Heads,  in  a  Shield,  for  his  Arms  ; 
which  Coat  he  ever  afterwards  bore,  and  it  was  admitted 
and  recorded  in  the  Herald's  Office  in  England.^  by  Sir  IVil- 
liam  Segar^  Garter,  principal  King  at  Arms. 

But  foon  after,  the  Duke  of  Tranfilvania  was  deprived 
of  his  Dominions  by  the  Emperor  ;  and  Smithy  at  the  fatal 
Battle  of  Rottenton^  in  the  Year  1602,  was  left  upon  the 
Field,  among  the  dreadful  Carnage  of  Chriftians,  as  dead. 
But  the  Pillagers,  perceiving  Life  in  him,  and  judging  by 
the  Richnefs  of  his  Habit  and  Armour,  that  his  Ranfom 
might  be  confiderable,  took  great  Pains  to  recover  him. 
After  that,  he  was  publickly  fold,  among  the  other  Prifo- 
ners  ;  and  was  bought  by  a  Bafhaw,  who  fent  him  to  Con- 
Jiantinople.,  as  a  Prefent  to  his  Miftrefs,  Charatxa  Traga- 
big-zanda^  a  beautiful  young  Tartarian  Lady.  Smith  was 
then  twenty  three  Years  of  Age,  in  the  Bloom  of  Lite, 
and,  as  it  feems,  of  a  very  handfome  Perfon.  For  this 
young  Lady  was  fo  moved  with  Compaffion,  or  rather 
Love,  for  him,  that  fhe  treated  him  with  the  utmoft  Ten- 
dernefs  and  Regard.  And  to  prevent  his  being  ill  ufed,  or 
fold,  by  her  Mother,  fhe  fent  him  into  Tartary.,  to  her 
Brother,  who  was  Timor  Bafhaw  of  Nalbrits^  on  the  Pa- 
lus  Mceotis.  Here,  {he  intended,  he  fhould  flay,  to  learn 
the  Language,  together  with  the  Manners  and  Religion  of 
the  Turks.,  till  Time  fhould  make  her  Miftrefs  of  herfelf. 

But 


Book  III.    The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  in 

But  the  Bafhaw,  fufpefting  fomething  of  the  Matter, 
from  the  afFe6lionate  Exprellions,  with  which  fhe  recom- 
mended and  preffed  his  good  Ufage,  only  treated  Sjnith  ' 
with  the  greater  Cruelty  and  Inhumanity.  Smith's  high 
Spirit,  raifed  alfo  by  a  Confcioufnefs  of  Tragabigzatida's 
Paflion,  could  but  ill  brook  this  harfh  Treatment.  At  laft, 
being  one  Day  threfhing  alone,  at  a  Grange  above  a  League 
from  the  Houfe,  the  Timor  came,  and  took  Occafion,  fo 
to  kick,  fpurn,  and  revile  him,  that  forgetting  all  Reafon, 
Smith  beat  out  his  Brains,  with  his  threfliing  Bat.  Then 
reflecting  upon  his  defperate  State,  he  hid  the  Body  under 
the  Straw,  filled  his  Knapfack  with  Corn,  put  on  the  Ti- 
mor's Cloaths,  and  mounting  his  Horfe,  fled  into  the  De- 
ferts  of  Circajfia.  After  two  or  three  Days  fearful  Wan- 
dering, he  happened,  providentially,  on  the  Caftragan,  or 
great  Road,  that  leads  into  Mufcovy,  Following  this,  for 
fixteen  Days,  with  infinite  Dread  and  Fatigue,  he  at  laft 
arrived  at  a  Mufcovite  Garrifon,  on  the  Frontiers.  Here 
he  was  kindly  entertained  and  prefented,  as  alfo  at  all  the 
Places,  through  which  he  paffed.  Having  travelled  through 
Siberia^  Mufcovy^  Tranftlvania^  and  the  Midft  of  Europe^ 
he  at  length  found  his  old  Friend  and  gracious  Patron,  the 
Duke  of  Tranftlvania^  at  Leipfick^  together  with  Count 
Meldritch^  his  Colonel.  Having  fpent  fome  time  with  them, 
the  Duke,  at  his  Departure,  gave  him  a  Pafs,  intimating 
the  Services,  he  had  done,  and  the  Honours,  he  had  re- 
ceived ;  prefenting  him,  at  the  fame  Time,  with  fifteen 
hundred  Ducats  of  Gold,  to  repair  his  Lofles.  And  altho' 
he  was  now  intent  on  returning  to  his  native  Country,  yet 
being  furnifhed  with  this  Money,  he  fpent  fome  time,  in 
travelling  through  the  principal  Cities  and  Provinces  of  Ger- 
many^ France^  and  Spain.  From  the  laft,  being  led  by 
the  Rumour  of  Wars,  he  palled  over  into  Africa.^  and  vi- 
fited  the  Court  of  Morocco.  Having  viewed  many  of  the 
Places  and  Curiofities  oi  Barbary^  he  at  laft  returned,  through 
France.,  to  England;  and  in  his  Pafiage  in  a  French  Galley, 
they  had  a  moft  defperate  Engagement,  for  two  or  three 
Days  together,  with  two  Spanijh  Men  of  War.  In  En- 
gland., all  things  were  ftill,  and  in  the  moft  profound  Peace  ; 
fo  that,  there  was  no  Room  or  Profpe6t  for  a  Perfon  of  his 
a6live  and  warlike  Genius.  And  therefore,  having  fpent 
fome  time,  in  an  idle  and  uneafy  State,  he  willingly  em- 
barked himfelf  with  Captain  Gofnold^  in  the  Proje6f  of  fet- 
tling Colonies  in  America.,  and  came  to  Virguiia. 

His  Conduct  here  hath  been  fufficiently  related  ;  and  I 
fhall  finifh  his  Charafter,  with  the  Teftimonies  of  fome  of 
his  Soldiers  and   Fellow-Adventurers.     They  own  him  to 

have 


112  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

have  made  Juftice  his  firft  Guide,  and  Experience  his  fe- 
cond  :  That  he  was  ever  fruitful  in  Expedients,  to  provide 
for  the  People  under  his  Command,  whom  he  would  never 
fufFer  to  want  any  thing,  he  either  had,  or  could  procure  : 
That  he  rather  chofe  to  lead,  than  fend  his  Soldiers  into 
Danger  ;  and  upon  all  hazardous  or  fatiguing  Expeditions, 
always  fhared  every  thing  equally  with  his  Company,  and 
never  defired  any  of  them,  to  do  or  undergo  any  thing,  that 
he  was  not  ready,  to  do  or  undergo  himfelf :  That  he  hated 
Bafenefs,  Sloth,  Pride,  and  Indignity,  more  than  any  Dan- 
ger :  That  he  would  fuffer  Want,  rather  than  borrow ; 
and  ftarve,  fooner  than  not  pay  :  That  he  loved  A6lion, 
more  than  Words  ;  and  hated  Falfhood  and  Covetoufnefs, 
worfe  than  Death  :  and,  That  his  Adventures  gave  Life  and 
Subfiftency  to  the  Colony,  and  his  Lofs  was  their  Ruin  and 
Deftru6lion.  They  confefs,  that  there  were  many  Cap- 
tains in  that  Age  (as  there  are  indeed  in  all  Ages)  who  were 
no  Soldiers  ;  but  that  Captain  Smith  was  a  Soldier,  of  the 
true  old  Englijh  Stamp,  who  fought,  not  for  Gain  or 
empty  Praife,  but  for  his  Country's  Honour  and  the  pub- 
lick  Good :  That  his  Wit,  Courage,  and  Succefs  here, 
were  worthy  of  eternal  Memory  :  That  by  the  mere  Force 
of  his  Virtue  and  Courage,  he  awed  the  Indian  Kings,  and 
made  them  fubmit,  and  bring  Prefents :  That,  notwith- 
ftanding  fuch  a  ftern  and  invincible  Refolution,  there  was 
feldom  feen  a  milder  and  more  tender  Heart,  than  his  was  : 
That  he  had  nothing  in  him  counterfeit  or  fly,  but  was 
open,  honefl:,  and  fincere  :  and.  That  they  never  knew  a 
Soldier,  before  him,  fo  free  from  thofe  military  Vices,  •of 
Wine,  Tobacco,  Debts,  Dice,  and  Oaths. 

From  this  Account  of  Captain  Smith,  extra£led  from 
his  own  Writings  and  the  Teftimony  of  his  Contempora- 
ries and  Acquaintance,  it  will  be  eafily  feen,  that  he  was 
a  Soldier  of  Fortune,  who  had  run  through  great  Variety 
of  Life  and  Adventure.  And  indeed  he  was  fo  famous  for 
this  in  his  own  Age,  that  he  lived  to  fee  himfelf  brought 
upon  the  Stage,  and  the  chief  Dangers,  and  moft  intereft- 
ing  Paflages  of  his  Life,  racked,  as  he  complains,  and  mif- 
reprefented  in  low  Tragedies.  I  cannot  therefore  forbear 
tranfiently  obferving  Oidmixon's  Miftake,  who  fays,  that 
the  Company  took  him  into  their  Service,  becaufe  he  was 
a  noted  Seaman,  and  famed  for  his  Experience  in  maritime 
Affairs.  But  to  remark  all  the  Errors  of  our  Hiftorians, 
but  moft  efpecially  of  Oldmixon,  the  weakeft,  moft  idle, 
and  erroneous  of  all  others,  would  be  an  infinite  Work, 
and  too  often  interrupt  and  break  the  Thread  of  my  Nar- 
ration.     I  hope  therefore,  the  courteous  Reader  will  be  fa- 

tisfied 


Book  III.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

tisfied  with  this  fhort  Caution  and  Animadverfion,  once  for 
all.     For    to    fpeak    the  Truth    ingenuoufly,  I    had    rather' 
find  out  and  correct  one  Miftake  in  my  own,  than  expofe 
and  ridicule  twenty  Blunders  in  the  Hiftories  of  others.    But 
to  return  to  the  Affairs  of  Virginia. 

It  hath  been  before  faid,  that  the  Admiral-Ship,  v^\xh  John  Smith 
Sir  Thomas  Gates.,  Sir  George  Somers,  and  Captain  Newport  Prefident. 
on  board,  was  feparated  from  the  reft  of  the  Fleet  in  a  Storm. 
She  was  fo  racked  and  torn  by  the  violent  Working  of  the 
Sea,  and  became  fo  fhattered  and  leaky,  that  the  Water 
rofe  in  the  Hold  above  two  Tire  of  Hogfheads  ;  and  they 
were  obliged  to  ftand  up  to  their  Middles,  with  Kettles, 
Buckets,  and  other  Veffels,  to  bail  it  out.  And  thus  they 
bailed  and  pumped,  three  Days  and  Nights,  without  Inter- 
miflion  ;  and  yet  the  Water  feemed  rather  to  gain  upon 
them,  than  decreafe.  At  laft,  all  being  utterly  fpent  with 
Labour,  and  feeing  no  Hope,  in  Man's  Apprehenfion,  but 
of  prefently  finking,  they  refolved  to  (hut  up  the  Hatches, 
and  to  commit  themfelves  to  the  Mercy  of  the  Sea  and 
God's  good  Providence.  In  this  dangerous  and  defperate 
State,  fome,  who  had  good  and  comfortable  Waters,  fetched 
them,  and  drank  to  one  another,  as  taking  their  laft  Leaves, 
till  a  more  happy  and  joyful  Meeting  in  the  other  World. 
But  it  pleafed  God,  in  his  moft  gracious  Providence,  fo  to 
guide  their  Ship,  to  her  beft  Advantage,  that  they  were 
all  preferved,  and  came  fafe  to  Shore. 

For  Sir  George  Somers  had  fat,  all  this  Time,  upon  the 
Poop,  fcarce  allowing  himfelf  Leifure,  either  to  eat  or 
fleep,  cunning  the  Ship,  and  keeping  her  upright,  or  fhe 
muft,  otherwife,  long  before  this,  have  foundered.  As 
he  there  fat,  looking  wifhfully  about,  he  moft  happily  and 
unexpe6tedly  defcried  Land.  This  welcome  News,  as  if 
it  had  been  a  Voice  from  Heaven,  hurried  them  all  above 
Hatches,  to  fee,  what  they  could  fcarce  believe.  But  there- 
by, improvidently  forfaking  their  Work,  they  gave  fuch  an 
Advantage  to  their  greedy  Enemy,  the  Sea,  that  they  were 
very  nigh  being  fwallowed  up.  But  none  were  now  to  be 
urged,  to  do  his  beft.  Altho'  they  knew  it  to  be  Bermu- 
das., a  Place  then  dreaded  and  fhunned  by  all  Men,  yet 
they  fpread  all  the  Sail,  and  did  every  thing  elfe,  in  their 
Power,  to  reach  the  Land.  It  was  not  long,  before  the 
Ship  ftruck  upon  a  Rock  ;  but  a  Surge  of  the  Sea  caft  her 
from  thence,  and  fo  from  one  to  another,  till  (he  was  moft 
luckily  thrown  up  between  two,  as  upright,  as  if  fhe  had 
been  on  the  Stocks.  And  now  the  Danger  was,  left  the 
Billows,  overtaking  her,  fhould,  in  an  Inftant,  have  daftied 
and  fhivered  her  to  Pieces.  But  all  on  a  fudden,  the  Wind 
"  I  lay. 


114  "^^^   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1609.     lay,  and   gave   Place  to  a  Calm  ;   and  the  Sea   became  fo 

' Y peaceable  and  ftill,  that,  with  the  greateft  Conveniency  and 

John  Smith  £afe,  they  unfliipped  all  their  Goods,  Vi6luals,  and  Peo- 

Prefident.        ,        '      ,    <         ,     .  ^\.  .  ,  '     t  1/1  a 

pie,  and  m  their  Jooats,  with  extreme  Joy,  almoir  to  A- 
mazement,  arrived  in  Safety,  without  the  Lofs  of  a  Man, 
altho'  more  than  a  League  from  the  Shore. 

How  thefe  Iflands  came  by  the  Name  of  Bermudas^  is 
not  certainly  agreed.  Some  fay,  that  they  were  fo  named 
after  yohn  Bermudax^  a  Spaniard^  who  firft  difcovered  them, 
about  the  Year  1522.  Others  report,  that  a  Spani/h  Ship, 
called  the  Bermudas^  was  caft  away  upon  them,  as  fhe  was 
carrying  Hogs  to  the  JVeJi-Indies^  which  fwam  afhore,  and 
increafed  to  incredible  Numbers.  But  they  had  been,  in 
all  Times  before,  infamous  and  terrible  to  Mariners,  for 
the  Wreck  of  many  Spani/h^  Dutch^  and  French  Veffels. 
They  were  therefore,  with  the  ufual  Elegance  of  the  Sea 
Stile,  by  many  called  the  IJle  of  Devils  ;  and  were  efteemed 
the  Hell  or  Purgatory  of  Seamen,  the  moft  dangerous,  un- 
fortunate, and  forlorn  Place  in  the  World. 

But  the  fafe  Arrival  of  this  Company  was  not  more 
ftrange  and  providential,  than  their  Feeding  and  Support 
was  beyond  all  their  Hopes  or  Expeftation.  For  they  found 
it  the  richeft,  pleafanteft,  and  moft  healthful  Place,  they 
had  ever  feen.  Being  fafe  on  Shore,  they  difpofed  them- 
felves,  fome  to  fearch  the  Iflands  for  Food  and  Water,  and 
others  to  get  afhore,  what  they  could,  from  the  Ship.  Sir 
George  Somers  had  not  ranged  far,  before  he  found  fuch  a 
Fifhery,  that,  in  half  an  Hour,  he  took,  with  a  Hook  and 
Line,  as  many,  as  fufficed  the  whole  Company.  In  fome 
Places,  they  were  fo  thick  in  the  Coves,  and  fo  big,  that 
they  were  afraid  to  venture  in  amongft  them ;  and  Sir 
George  Somers  caught  one,  that  had  before  carried  off  two 
of  his  Hooks,  fo  large,  that  it  would  have  pulled  him  into 
the  Sea,  had  not  his  Men  got  hold  of  him.  Two  of  thofe 
Rock-fifh  would  have  loaded  a  Man  ;  neither  could  any 
where  be  found,  fatter,  or  more  excellent  Fifti,  than  they 
were.  Befides,  there  were  infinite  Numbers  of  Mullets, 
Pilchards,  and  other  fmall  Fry  ;  and  by  making  a  Fire  in 
the  Night,  they  would  take  vaft  Quantities  of  large  Craw- 
fifh.  As  for  Hogs,  they  found  them  in  that  Abundance, 
that,  at  their  firft  Hunting,  they  killed  thirty  two.  And 
there  were  Hkewife  Multitudes  of  excellent  Birds,  in  their  Sea- 
fons  ;  and  the  greateft  Facility,  to  make  their  Cabbins  with 
Palmeta  Leaves.  This  caufed  them  to  live  in  fuch  Plenty, 
Eafe,  and  Comfort,  that  many  forgot  all  other  Places,  and 
never  defired  to  return  from  thence. 

In 


Book  III.     The   History   e/^  VIRGINIA. 

I  N  the  mean  while,  the  Thoughts  of  the  two  Knights 
were  bufily  employed,  how  to  proceed,  in  this  defperate' 
State  of  their  Affairs.  At  laft,  it  was  refolved,  to  deck'^^^Ho"- 
the  Long-boat  with  the  Ship's  Hatches,  and  to  fend  Mr.  Efq^Qove^;^ 
Raven^  a  ftout  and  able  Mariner,  with  eight  more  in  her,  nor.' 
to  Virginia  \  to  get  Shipping  from  thence,  to  fetch  them 
away.  But  fhe  was  never  more  heard  of;  and  fuch  was 
the  Malice,  Envy,  and  Ambition  of  fome,  that,  notwith- 
ftanding  Sir  George  Sorners^  eminent  Services,  there  arofe 
great  Differences  between  the  Commanders.  So  that,  as 
if,  according  to  the  Obfervation  of  a  Spani/h  Author,  the 
Air  of  America  was  infectious,  and  inclined  Mens  Minds  to 
Wrangling  and  Contention,  they  lived  afunder,  in  the 
Height  of  this  their  Calamity,  rather  like  mere  Strangers, 
than  diftrelTed  Friends,  But  the  feveral  Parties,  each  re- 
folved upon  building  a  VelTel.  In  the  mean  while,  two 
Children  were  born.  The  Boy  was  called  Bermudas^  and  1610. 
the  Girl  Bermuda;  and  in  the  Midft  of  all  their  Sorrows, 
they  had  a  merry  Englijh  Wedding.  But  the  two  Cedar 
Ships  being,  at  length,  finifhed,  and  rigged  with  what  they 
faved  from  the  Sea-Venture^  they  calked  them,  and  paid 
the  Seams  with  Lime  and  Turtle's  Oyl,  infl:ead  of  Pitch 
and  Tar ;  which  quickly  became  dry,  and  as  hard  as  a 
Stone.  Sir  George  Somers  had  no  Iron  in  his  Bark,  except 
one  Bolt  in  the  Keel.  And  now,  their  Provifions  being 
laid  in,  and  all  Things  in  Readinefs,  after  about  Nine 
Months  Abode  there,  they  fet  Sail,  on  the  lOth  of  May^ 
1 6 10.  They  left  behind  them  two  Men,  Chrijiopher  Car- 
ter and  Edivard  Waters ;  who,  for  their  Offences,  fled 
into  the  Woods,  and  defired,  rather  there  to  end  their 
Days,  than  to  ftand  to  the  Event  of  Juftice.  For  one  of 
their  Accomplices  had  been  fhot  to  Death,  and  Waters  was 
actually  tied  to  a  Tree  to  be  executed  ;  but  he  had,  by 
Chance,  a  Knife  about  him,  with  which  he  fecretly  cut 
the  Rope,  and  ran  into  the  Woods.  There  alfo  came  from 
England  with  them  two  Indians^  named  Namontack  and 
Machumps.  But,  upon  fome  Difference,  Machumps  flew 
Namontack  ;  and  having  made  a  Hole  to  bury  him,  becaufe 
it  was  too  ftiort,  he  cut  off  his  Legs,  and  laid  them  by  him. 
Neither  was  the  Murder  ever  difcovered,  before  he  got  to 
Virginia. 

Whilst  thefe  Things  were  pafling  in  Bermudas^  the 
Colony  in  Virginia  was  reduced  to  the  utmoft  Mifery  and 
Diflrefs.  Captain  Percy^  their  Governor,  was  fo  Tick  and 
weak  the  whole  Time,  that  he  could  neither  go  nor  fland. 
Wherefore  he  could  not  keep  up  his  Authority  with  fuch  a 
feditious  Crew,  nor  adl  with  that  Vigor  and  Induflry,  as 

I  2  might 


"The    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

might  juftly  have  been  expe6ted  from  him.  Captain  Mar- 
tin from  Nanfamond^  and  Captain  Weji  from  the  Falls, 
The  Hon.  having  loft  their  Boats,  and  near  half  their  Men,  vi^ere  re- 
£^°[^^QQyg^;{ turned  to  fames-Town.  For  the  Indians  no  fooner  under- 
nor.'  ftood,  that   Smith  was  gone,  but  they  revolted,  and  fpoiled 

and  murdered  all,  they  met.  And  now  they  had  twenty 
Prefidents,  with  all  their  Appurtenances  of  Parafites  and 
Profufion.  They  laviihly  fpent  the  Provifions,  fent  from 
England  in  the  laft  Ships  ;  which,  however,  were  fo  bad, 
and  fo  infufficient  in  Proportion,  that  the  poor  famifhing 
People,  in  the  Bitternefs  of  their  Heart,  poured  forth,  the 
whole  Time,  the  moft  dreadful  Curfes  and  Execrations  a- 
gainft  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  the  Treafurer.  And  they  were 
therefore  foon  obliged,  to  depend  wholly,  on  what  Captain 
Smith  left ;  which  he  had  provided,  only  to  ferve  his  own 
Company  for  fome  Time,  with  Intention,  afterwards  to 
lay  in  a  much  larger  Stock.  But  before  thefe  Provifions 
were  quite  confumed.  Captain  Weft  and  Captain  Ratcliffe^ 
each  with  a  fmall  Ship,  and  thirty  or  forty  Men  well  ap- 
pointed, went  abroad  to  trade.  Ratcliffe^  upon  Confidence 
of  Powhatan^  fair  Profeilions,  was  flain,  with  thirty  others, 
as  carelefs  as  himfelf.  Only  one  Man  of  the  Company 
efcaped  ;  and  Pocahontas  faved  a  Boy,  one  Henry  Spilman^ 
who  lived  for  many  Years,  by  her  Means,  among  the  Pa- 
towmacks.  But  Powhatan.,  ftill  as  he  found  Opportunity, 
cut  ofF  their  Boats,  and  denied  them  Trade  ;  fo  that  Cap- 
tain IVeJi  failed  off  in  his  Ship  to  England. 

And  now,  they  were  all  deeply  fenfible  of  the  Lofs  of 
Captain  Smith.  Even  his  bittereft  Enemies,  and  greateft 
Maligners,  would  curfe  their  Deftiny  for  his  Departure. 
Inflead  of  Corn  and  Contribution  from  the  Indians.,  which 
his  Induftry  and  Authority  ftill  wrefted  from  them,  they 
had  nothing  but  Scoffs  and  mortal  Wounds.  And  as  for 
their  Hogs,  Sheep,  Goats,  Hens,  and  other  Animals,  their 
riotous  Commanders,  and  the  Indians.,  daily  confumed  and 
deftroyed  them.  So  that  they  traded  away  their  Swords, 
Firelocks,  and  any  thing  elfe,  they  had,  with  the  Indians -y 
who  were  thereby  enabled,  the  more  eafily,  often  to  em- 
brue  their  cruel  Hands  in  their  Blood.  Thofe,  who  had 
Startch,  made  no  little  Ufe  of  it,  in  this  Extremity  ;  and 
the  very  Skins  of  their  Horfes  were  prepared,  by  ftewing 
and  hafhing,  into  dainty  and  welcome  Food.  Nay,  fo  great 
was  the  Famine,  that  the  poorer  Sort  took  up  an  Indian., 
that  had  been  flain  and  buried,  and  eat  him  ;  and  fo  did  fe- 
veral  others,  one  another,  that  died,  boiled  and  ftewed 
with  Roots  and  Herbs.  And  one,  among  the  reft,  killed 
his  Wife,  powdered   her   up,  and  had   eaten   Part   of  her, 

before 


Book  III.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

before  it  was  difcovered  ;   for  which  he  was,  afterwards,  de- 
fervedly  executed.    In  {hort,  fo  extremewas  the  Famine  and 
Diftrefs  of  this   Time,  that  it  was,  for  many  Years  after,  '^^^  ^°"" 
diftinguifhed  and  remembered,  by  the  Name  of  the  Star-  Efq'^'^Gover^ 
viNG  Time.      And  by  thefe   means,  of  near   five  hundred  nor. 
Perfons,   left   by    Captain   Smith  at    his    Departure,   within 
fix   Months,   there   remained  not  above  fixty,    Men,  Wo- 
men, and   Children  ;    and  thofe   moft  poor  and    miferable 
Creatures,  preferved,  for  the  moft  part,  by  Roots,  Herbs, 
Acorns,  Walnuts,  Berries,  and  now  and  then  a  little  Fifh. 
Neither  was  it  poffible  for  them,  to  have  held  out  ten  Days 
longer,  without  being  all  utterly  extin6l  and  famifhed  with 
Hunger. 

I  N  this  calamitous  State,  did  Sir  Thomas  Gates  and  Sir  sir  Thomas 
George  Somers  find  the  Colony,  at  their  Arrival,  on  the  Gates,  Go- 
24th  of  May.  Thefe  two  noble  Knights,  being  utter  ^^'■"°'^- 
Strangers  to  their  Affairs,  could  underftand  nothing  of  the 
Caufe  and  Reafon  of  thefe  Miferies,  but  by  Conje£lure  from 
their  Clamours  and  Complaints,  either  accufing,  or  excu- 
fing  one  another.  They  therefore  embarked  them  all,  in 
the  beft  manner,  they  could,  and  fet  Sail  for  England.  At 
their  Departure,  many  were  importunate  to  burn  the  Houfes 
and  Fort  at  'James-'Town.  But  God,  who  did  not  intend, 
that  this  excellent  Country  fhould  be  fo  abandoned,  put  it 
into  the  Heart  of  Sir  Thomas  Gates.,  to  fave  the  Town  and 
Fortifications.  For  having  fallen  down  to  Hog-IJland.,  and 
thence  to  Mulberry-Point.,  they  defcried  the  Long-boat  of 
the  Lord  Delawarr  ;  who,  being  then  Captain-General  of 
Virginia.,  a  Title  ever  after  given  to  our  Governors  in  chief, 
came  up  with  three  Ships,  exceedingly  well  furnifhed  with 
all  Neceffaries,  and  returned  them  back  to  "James-Town. 

His  Lordfhip  arrived  the  9th  of  June.,  accompanied  with  LordlWa- 
Sir  Ferdinando  Wayn7nan.,  General  of  the  Horfe,  (who  foon  ygrnor 
after  died  here)  Captain  Holcroft.,  and  divers  other  Gentle- 
men of  Figure.  The  loth  he  came  up  with  his  Fleet, 
went  afhore,  heard  a  Sermon,  read  his  Commiflion,  and 
entered  into  Confultation  about  the  Affairs  of  the  Colony. 
Then  he  made  a  fhort  Speech  to  the  Company,  juftly 
blaming  them  for  their  Pride,  Vanity,  and  Sloth,  and  earn- 
eftly  entreating  them  to  amend  their  Ways,  left  he  fhould 
be  compelled  to  draw  the  Sword  of  Juftice,  and  cut  off  fuch 
Delinquents;  which,  he  profeffed,  he  had  much  rather 
draw,  to  the  fhedding  his  own  vital  Blood,  in  their  Caufe 
and  Defence.  He  alfo  conftituted  proper  Officers  of  all 
Kinds,  and  allotted  every  Man  his  particular  Place  and  Bu- 
finefs.  This  Oration  was  received  with  a  general  Applaufe  ; 
and  you  might  foon  fee  the  idle  and  refty  Humours  of  a  di- 
vided Multitude,  by  the  Splendor,  Unity,  and  Authority  of 

I   3  this 


The    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

this  Government,  fubftantially  healed.  Captain  Martin 
was  removed  from  the  Council,  for  his  weak,  cruel,  and 
diforderly  Behaviour  ;  and  thofe,  who  knew  not  the  Path 
to  Goodnefs  before,  would  now  chalk  it  out  to  their  Fel- 
lows, endeavouring  to  outftrip  each  other  in  Diligence  and 
Induftry.  The  French  prepared  to  plant  the  Vines  ;  the 
Englijh  laboured  in  the  Woods  and  Grounds  ;  and  every 
Man  knew  his  particular  Bufinefs  and  Vocation,  which  he 
followed  with  Alacrity  and  Pleafure. 

But  altho'  his  Lordftiip's  Stores  were  very  plentiful  for 
his  own  Company,  yet  were  they  far  from  being  enough  to 
fuffice  the  whole  Colony.  For  it  was  computed,  that  all 
the  Provifion,  landed  from  England^  the  whole  firft  three 
Years,  was  not  fufficient  to  have  ferved  the  People,  ac- 
cording to  their  Numbers,  fix  Months.  Underftanding 
therefore,  what  Plenty  there  was  of  Hogs  and  other  good 
Provifions  in  Bermudas^  he  determined  to  fend  thither  for  a 
fufficient  Supply.  Whereupon  Sir  George  Somers^  who,  by 
his  Diligence  in  ranging  thofe  Iflands,  was  beft  acquainted 
with  the  Place,  and  whofe  generous  Mind  ever  regarded  the 
publick  Good,  more  than  his  own  private  Ends,  altho'  of 
above  threefcore  Years  of  Age,  and  of  a  Fortune  in  En- 
gland fuitable  to  his  Rank  and  Quality,  yet  offered  his  Ser- 
vice to  perform  this  dangerous  Voyage  to  thofe  rocky  and 
unfortunate  Iflands;  and  he  promifed  with  God's  Affiftance, 
foon  to  return,  with  fix  Months  Provifion  of  Flefh.  On 
the  19th  of  yune^  he  embarked,  in  his  own  Cedar  Veffel, 
of  thirty  Tons  ;  and  Captain  Sarnuel  Argall  was  alfo  fent 
with  him,  in  another  fmall  Bark.  But  Captain  Argall  was 
foon  forced  back,  by  Strefs  of  Weather  ;  and  was  fent,  by 
the  Lord  Governor,  to  Patowmack  River,  to  trade  for  Corn. 
He  there  found  the  Englijh  Boy,  Henry  Spilman^  preferved 
by  Pocahontas  and  thofe  Indians^  from  the  Fury  of  Powha- 
tan. He  was  a  young  Gentleman,  well  defcended  ;  and, 
by  his  Acquaintance  and  Help,  Captain  Argall  received  fuch 
good  Ufage  from  that  kind  People,  that  his  Veffel  was  foon 
freighted  with  Corn,  with  which  he  returned  to  "James- 
Town.  But  Sir  George  Somers  ftruggled  long  with  foul 
Weather  and  contrary  Winds  ;  and  was  at  laft  forced  to  the 
Northern  Parts  of  the  Continent,  where  he  refrefhed  him- 
felf  and  his  Men  on  the  unknown  Coaft.  But  departing 
thence  again,  he  at  length  arrived  fafe  at  Bermudas.  Ufing 
too  much  Diligence  and  Pains  in  difpatching  his  Bufinefs, 
and  the  Strength  of  his  Bodv  not  anfwering  the  ever  memo- 
rable Vigor  of  his  Mind,  having  lived  long  in  honourable 
Employments,  much  beloved,  and  highly  efteemed,  thro' 
his  whole  Life,  Nature  at  laft  could  no  longer  fupport  the 

Burthen, 


Book  III.      the   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Burthen,  but  funk  under  his  too  great  Labour  and  Fatigue. 
Finding   his  Time  but  fhort,  after   having  made  a  proper 
Difpofition  of  his   Eftate,  he  called  them  together,  and  like  ^"""^  ^'^^''- 
a  valiant  Captain  and  worthy  Patriot,  exhorted  them  to  be  ^^^'^^^^^ 
true  and  conftant  to  thofe  Plantations,  and  with  all  Expedi- 
tion and  Diligence,  to  return  to  Virginia. 

Thus  died  this  virtuous  and  honourable  Knight,  in  the 
very  Place,  where  they  afterwards  built  a  Town,  from  him 
called  St.  Georges ;  and  the  Iflands  themfelves  have  ever 
fince  borne  the  Name  of  the  Somer-IJJands^  in  Honour  to 
his  Memory.  But  Captain  Matthew  Sofners^  his  Nephew, 
and  all  his  Men,  were  in  fuch  Grief  and  Confternation  at 
his  Death,  and  were  fo  heedlefs  and  unconcerned  for  the 
Colony,  that  they  utterly  negle£led  his  dying  Inftruilions, 
to  return  to  Virginia.  For  having  buried  his  Heart  and  En- 
trails, and  erected  a  Crofs  over  the  Place  ;  they  embalmed 
his  Body,  and  fet  Sail  with  it,  in  his  Cedar  Ship,  for  En- 
gland. Arriving  fafe  at  Whitchurch  in  Dorfetflnre.^  he  was 
there  honourably  enterred,  with  many  Vollies  of  Shot,  and 
the  Rites  of  a  Soldier.  But  the  Crofs  was  accidentally 
found,  nine  Years  after,  in  a  Bye-place,  overgrown  with 
Bufhes,  by  Captain  Nathaniel  Butler.,  then  Governor  of 
thofe  Iflands.  Refolving  to  have  a  better  Memorial  of  fo 
worthy  a  Soldier,  and  finding  a  large  Marble  Stone,  brought 
from  England.,  he  caufed  it  to  be  handfomely  wrought  by 
Mafons,  and  laid  over  the  Place ;  engraving  an  Epitaph, 
agreeable  to  the  Tafte  and, Manner  of  the  Times,  and  en- 
vironing the  whole  with  a  fquare  Wall  of  hewn  Stone. 
But  I  underftand,  that  this  Monument  is  now  utterly  ob- 
literated, and  the  Place  quite  forgot  and  unknown  in  that 
Country. 

Upon  this  Occafion,  there  alfo  happened  a  very  hu- 
mourous Circumftance.  Carter  and  Waters  had  been  left 
here,  when  the  reft  went  to  Virginia.,  as  hath  been  faid. 
And  now,  by  Carter'%  Perfuafions,  Waters  was  ftill  ftaid, 
and  one  Edward  Chard  ]q)\\\^A  himfelf  to  them.  This  Vef- 
fel  once  out  of  Sight,  thefe  three  Lords  and  fole  Inhabi- 
tants of  all  thofe  Iflands,  began  to  ere6l  their  little  Com- 
monwealth, with  equal  Power  and  brotherly  Regency, 
building  a  Houfe,  preparing  the  Ground,  planting  their 
Corn,  and  fuch  Seeds  and  Fruits,  as  they  had,  and  pro- 
viding other  NeceflTaries  and  Conveniences.  Then  making 
Search  among  the  Crevices  and  Corners  of  thofe  craggy 
Rocks,  what  the  Ocean,  from  the  World's  Creation,  had 
thrown  up  among  them,  befides  divers  fmaller  Pieces,  they 
happened  upon  the  largeft  Block  of  Ambergreafe,  that  had 
ever  been   feen   or   heard   of,   in  one  Lump.      It   weighed 

four- 


rhe   History   0/  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

fourfcore  Pounds  ;  and  is  faid,  itfelf  alone,  befides  the  others, 
to  have  been  then  worth  nine  or  ten  thoufand  Pounds.  And 
Lord  De/a-  now  being  rich,  they  grew  fo  refty  and  ambitious,  that 
ivarr,  Go-  ^^^^^  three  forlorn  Men,  above  three  thoufand  Miles  from 

vcrnor.  ' 

their  native  Country,  and  with  little  Probability  of  ever 
feeing  it  again,  fell  out  for  the  Superiority  and  Rule.  And 
their  Competition  and  Quarrel  grew  fo  high,  that  Chard 
and  Waters^  being  of  the  greateft  Spirit,  had  appointed  to 
decide  the  Matter  in  the  Field.  But  Carter  wifely  ftole 
their  Arms  ;  chufing  rather,  to  bear  with  fuch  troublefome 
Rivals,  than,  by  being  rid  of  them,  to  live  alone.  So 
doubtful  a  Good  are  Riches,  and  fo  prepofterous  a  Thing 
the  Mind  of  Man  ! 

In  the  mean  while,  the  Lord  Delawarr^  in  Virginia^ 
built  two  Forts  at  Kicquotan  ;  and  called  one.  Fort  Hen- 
ry^ the  other.  Fort  Charles.  They  ftood  on  a  pleafant 
Plain,  near  a  little  River,  which  they  named  Southampton 
River,  in  a  wholefome  Air,  having  plenty  of  Springs,  and 
commanding  a  large  Circuit  of  Ground,  which  contained 
Wood,  Pafture,  and  Marfti,  with  fit  places  for  Vines, 
Corn,  and  Gardens.  Here  it  was  intended,  that  thofe, 
who  came  from  England.^  fhould  be  quartered  at  their  firlt 
Landing,  that  the  Wearifomenefs  and  Naufea  of  the  Sea 
might  be  refrefhed,  in  this  pleafant  Situation,  and  whole- 
fome Air.  Sir  Thomas  Gates  he  fent  to  England ;  and  Cap- 
tain Percy.,  with  Mr.  Stacy  and  fifty  or  threefcore  good 
Shot,  was  difpatched  to  revenge  fome  Injuries  of  the  Paf- 
paheys.  But  thofe  Indians  flying,  they  burnt  their  Houfes, 
and  took  the  Queen  and  her  Children  Prifoners,  whom  not 
long  after  they  flew.  So  much  was  the  Government  alrea- 
dy altered  from  the  Clemency  of  Smith's  Adminiftration, 
who  never  did,  nor  would  have  been  permitted,  to  fhed 
the  leaft  Drop  of  Indian  Blood,  by  Way  of  Punifhment ; 
but  was  obliged  to  fupply  the  Want  of  fufficient  Vigor  and 
Power  in  his  Authority,  by  his  own  Aftivity,  Induftry, 
Art,  and  Circumfpeition. 

Some  time  after,  as  my  Lord  Delawarr  was  at  the 
Falls,  the  Indians  aflaulted  his  Troops,  and  killed  three  or 
four  of  his  Men.  But  his  Lordfhip  had  now  been  long  fick. 
Immediately  upon  his  Arrival,  he  was  feized  with  an  Ague, 
which,  being  put  by  for  the  prefent,  foon  returned  with 
greater  Violence  than  ever  ;  and  he  began  to  be  diftempered 
with  other  grievous  Sicknefl^es.  He  was  firft  afl'ailed  by  the 
Flux,  then  by  the  Cramp,  and  after  that  by  the  Gout ; 
all  which  reduced  him  to  fo  weak  and  low  a  State,  that, 
being  unable  to  ftir,  it  brought  upon  him  the  Scurvy. 
Therefore,  by  the  Advice  of  his   Friends,  on  the    28th   of 

March, 


Book  III.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

March^  he   (hipped   himfelf,  with   Dr.   Bohun  and   Captain 
Argall^   for  Mevis^    in   the    Weft-Indies^    an   Ifland,   at  that 
time,  famous  for  wholefome  Baths.      At  his  Departure,  he'^^^    ^°"- 
committed  the  Colony  to  the  Charge  of  Captain  Percy^  'till  Ef^^Gover"^ 
the  Arrival  of  Sir  Thomas  Dale.      And  he  left  behind  about  nor! 
two  hundred   Perfons,  moft  of  them  in  good  Health,  and 
well  provided  with  Vi6luals,  and   the   Natives,  to  all  out- 
ward Appearance,  tra6lable  and  friendly.      But  being  croffed 
by  Southerly  Winds,  they  were  obliged  to  fhape  their  Courfe 
to  the  JVeJiern-lJlands  \   where  his   Lordfliip  met  with  much 
Relief  from  Oranges  and  Lemons,  a  fovereign  Remedy  for 
that  Diforder.      However    he  was   advifed,   not   to   hazard 
himfelf  back  to  Virginia  yet,  but  to  return  to  England^  for 
the  perfeil  Recovery  of  his  Health. 

The  Council  in  England  were,  all  this  while,  ftill  ea- 
ger after  fome  immediate  Profit.  Therefore,  finding  the 
Smalnefs  of  the  Return  by  thofe  Ships,  which  had  carried 
the  laft  Supply,  they  entered  into  ferious  Confultation,  whe- 
ther it  were  better,  to  come  into  a  new  Contribution,  or  in 
time  to  abandon  the  Country,  and  give  over  the  Enterprife. 
Wherefore,  upon  the  Arrival  of  Sir  Thomas  Gates.,  they 
adjured  him  to  deal  plainly  with  them  ;  and  he,  with  a 
folemn  and  facred  Oath,  gave  them  a  full  Account  of  the 
State  and  Profped:  of  Things.  And  he  told  them,  that  all 
Men  knew,  they  lay  at  the  Mercy  of  politic  Princes  and 
States  ;  who,  for  their  own  proper  Utility,  devifed  all  Me- 
thods to  grind  their  Merchants,  and,  on  any  Pretence,  to 
confifcate  their  Goods,  and  draw  from  them  all  Manner  of 
Gain  ;  whereas  Virginia.,  in  a  few  Years,  might  furnifh 
all  their  Wants,  with  Honour  and  Security.  But,  by  this 
time,  fome  of  the  Adventurers  were  become  fufpicious  of 
the  Treafurer's  Fairnefs  in  the  Carriage  and  Management 
of  the  Bufinefs.  To  which  the  Lord  Delawarrs,  Return 
added  a  farther  Damp  and  Difcouragement,  and  bred  fuch 
a  Coldnefs  and  Irrefolution  in  many  of  them,  that  they  en- 
deavoured to  withdraw  their  Payments.  Being  fued,  fome 
pleaded  in  Chancery,  upon  their  Oaths,  that  the  Monies 
were  not  converted  to  the  Ufe  intended,  but  to  private 
Mens  Gains  ;  and  that  no  Accounts  were  kept,  or  at  leaft 
legally  audited  and  examined.  But  this  was  overruled,  and 
no  ways  regarded  or  believed  ;  and  Sir  Thomas  Smiths  In- 
tegrity was  then  thought  fo  unqueftionable,  that  they  were 
obliged  to  pay  their  Sums  fubfcribed.  The  Lord  Delawarr 
alfo,  being  much  pleafed  with  the  Country,  and  cordial  in 
the  Affair,  made  a  publick  Oration  in  the  Council;  which 
he  afterwards  publifhed,  to  allay  their  Difcontents,  and  give 
Satisfadion  to  all.  And  his  Lordfliip  protefted  himfelf  wil- 
ls ling, 


The    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

ling,  to  venture  his  whole  Fortune  upon  the  Succefs  of  the 
Enterprife;  and  rather  than  fo  honourable  an  Action  fhould 

Sir  Thomas  f^[\^  j-q   return  immediately  in   Perfon,   if   they  would  but 

vernor    "'  fecond  his  Endeavours. 

But  before  the  Arrival  of  Lord  Delawarr  in  England^ 
the  Council  and  Company  had  difpatched  away  Sir  Thomas 
Dale^  High  Marflial  of  Virginia^  with  three  Ships,  Men, 
and  Cattle,  and  with  all  other  Provifions,  thought  neceflary 
for  a  Year;  which  arrived  fafe,  the  lOth  of  May  ^  1611. 
Sir  Thomas  found  the  People  again  falling  into  their  former 
Eftate  of  Penury  and  Want.  For  they  were  fo  improvi- 
dent, as  not  to  put  Corn  into  the  Ground,  but  trufted 
wholly  to  the  Store,  then  furniflied  with  only  three  Months 
Provifions.  His  firft  Care,  therefore,  was  to  employ  all 
Hands  in  planting  Corn  at  the  two  Forts  at  Kicquotan  ;  and 
the  Seafon  being  then  not  fully  paft,  they  had  an  indifferent 
Crop  of  good  Corn.  And  having  taken  Order  for  this  Bu- 
finefs,  and  committed  the  Care  of  it  to  his  Under-Officers, 
he  hafted  back  to  James-Town  ;  where  he  found  moft  of  the 
Company,  at  their  daily  and  ufual  Work,  bowling  in  the 
Streets.  But  he  foon  employed  them  about  things  more 
neceffary  ;  as  felling  Timber,  and  repairing  their  Houfes, 
ready  to  fall  on  their  Heads.  He  likewife  fet  many  to  pro- 
viding Pales,  Pofts,  and  Rails,  to  empale  the  new  Town, 
he  purpofed  to  build  ;  but  being  yet  unacquainted  with  the 
Country,  he  had  not  refolved,  where  to  feat  it.  He  there- 
fore fpent  fome  time,  with  an  hundred  Men,  in  viewing 
the  River  of  Nanfamond^  in  Defpight  of  the  Indians^  at  that 
time  their  Enemies.  And  then  he  examined  fames  River, 
up  to  the  Falls  ;  and  at  length  pitched  upon  a  Place  for  his 
new  Town,  on  the  Narrow  of  Farrar\  Ifland,  in  Var'ina 
Neck,  upon  a  high  Land,  nearly  invironed  by  the  main 
River. 

B  u  T  he  found  it  no  eafy  Matter,  to  reduce  his  turbulent 
and  feditious  People  to  good  Order.  About  this  time.  Sir 
Thoinas  Smith  fent  over  a  printed  Book  of  Articles  and  Laws, 
chiefly  tranflated  from  the  martial  Laws  of  the  Low  Coun- 
tries. Thefe  were  very  bloody  and  fevere,  and  no  ways 
agreeable  to  a  free  People  and  the  Britijh  Conftitution ; 
neither  had  they  any  Sanilion  or  Authority  from  the  Coun- 
cil and  Company  in  England.  However,  Sir  Thomas  Dale., 
being  fadly  troubled  and  peftered  with  the  mutinous  Hu- 
mours of  the  People,  caufed  them  to  be  publifhed,  and 
put  into  Execution  with  the  utmoft  Rigor.  And  altho'  the 
Manner  was  harfh  and  unufual  to  Englijhnan.,  yet  had  not 
thefe  military  Laws  been  fo  ftriilly  executed  at  this  time, 
there  were  little  Hopes  or  Probability  of  preventing  the  ut- 
ter 


Book  III.     "Tbe   History   of   VIRGINIA.  123 

ter  Subverfion  of  the  Colony.  For,  this  Summer,  one  1611. 
JVebb  and  one  Price  entered  into  a  Plot  againft  the  Go-^^-^^f- — ^ 
vernment ;  which  was,  foon  after,  followed  by  a  more  dan-^'""  'Thomas 
gerous  Confpiracy  of  Jeffrey  Abbot.  This  Abbot  had  ferved  f^^J,';^  ^°" 
long  as  a  Soldier,  both  in  Ireland  and  the  Netherlands.,  and 
was  here  Serjeant  of  Captain  Smith's  Company  ;  who  de- 
clares, that  he  never  knew  in  Virginia.,  a  more  able  Soldier, 
lefs  turbulent,  of  a  better  Wit,  more  hardy  and  induilri- 
ous,  or  more  forward  to  cut  off  thofe,  who  endeavoured  to 
abandon  the  Country,  or  wrong  the  Colony.  But  from 
what  Caufe  foever  his  Difcontents  arofe,  whether  he  refent- 
ed  his  being  neglected  and  unrewarded,  and  having  others 
put  over  his  Head  and  preferred  before  him,  or  whether 
there  was  any  other  Reafon  of  his  Diffatisfaftion,  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  this  Man,  who  never  received  any  Reward  for 
his  long  Services  and  Deferts,  now  met  with  an  immediate 
Punifhment  for  this  fudden  and  paflionate  Deviation  from 
his  Duty.  One  Cole  alfo,  and  Kitchens.,  with  three  more, 
plotted  to  run  away  to  the  Spaniards.,  whom  they  fuppofed, 
from  fome  wrong  Information,  to  be  inhabiting,  fome 
where  within  five  Days  Journey  of  the  Fort.  And  thefe 
Commotions  juftified  Sir  Thomas  Dale's  neceflary  Severities, 
which  might  otherwife  have  been  branded,  as  many  were 
then  ready  to  do,  with  being  too  cruel  and  tyrannical. 
But  however  falutary  fuch  fharp  and  fummary  Proceedings 
might  be  at  that  time,  as  I  find  them  owned  to  have  been, 
and  commended  by  all  Parties  ;  and  however  Sir  Thomas 
Dale  might  fafely  be  trufted  with  fo  great  a  Power,  a  Man 
of  much  Honour,  Wifdom,  and  Experience  ;  yet  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  thefe  Articles  were  utterly  deftruilive  of  the  £n- 
glifh  Freedom  and  Laws,  and  gave  the  Governor  fuch  a 
commanding  and  defpotick  Authority,  as  is,  by  no  means, 
to  be  lodged  in  any  Hand,  in  a  Country,  that  has  the  leafl: 
Thoughts  or  Pretenfions  to  Liberty. 

In  the   Beginning  of  Auguji.,   Sir  Thomas   Gates  arrived  sir  Thomas 
in  fix  tall  Ships,  with  three  hundred  Men,  an  hundred  Cat-  Gates    Go- 
tie,  two  hundred   Hogs,  and  with  all  Manner  of  other  Mu-^^''"°''' 
nition  and  Provifion,  that  could  be  thought  of,  as  needful 
and  proper.      At  his  Arrival,  Sir   Thomas  Dale's  Authority 
determined,  who,  after  mutual  Salutations,  acquainted  him 
with  what  he  had  done,  and  what  he  intended.       And  now, 
being  eafed  of  the   Burthen  of  Government,  and  more  at 
Leifure,  he  fet   himfelf  heartily  about  building  his  Town  ; 
and    Sir    Thomas   Gates.,  highly   approving  the   Defign,  fur- 
nifhed  him  with  three  hundred   and  fifty  Men,  fuch  as  he 
himfelf  made  Choice  of.      He  fet  Sail   from    'James-Town., 
the  Beginning  of  September  ;  and  being  arrived  at  the  Place, 

he 


m   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

he  environed  it  with  a  Palifade,  and  in  Honour  of  Prince 
Henry^  called  it  Henrico.  And  then  he  built  a  Church, 
cL.r  Go-  ^"'^  Storehoufes  ;  and  at  each  Corner  of  the  Town,  high 
verno'r.  Commanding  Watch  Towers.  This  being  accomplifhed, 
he  next  provided  proper  and  convenient  Houfes  for  himfelf 
and  Men,  which  were  finifhed  with  all  poflible  Speed,  to 
the  great  Comfort  and  Satisfaction  of  his  Company  and  the 
whole  Colony. 

The  Ruins  of  this  Town  are  ftill  plainly  to  be  traced 
and  diftinguifhed,  upon  the  Land  of  the  late  Col.  William 
Randolph^  of  Tuckahoe^  juft  without  the  Entrance  into  Far- 
rar's  Ifland.  It  lay  from  River  to  River,  upon  a  Plain  of 
high  Land,  with  very  fteep  and  inacceflible  Banks,  and  the 
Neck  without,  being  well  empaled,  gave  it  all  the  Security 
and  Conveniency  of  an  Ifland.  It  had  three  Streets  of  well- 
framed  Houfes,  a  handfome  Church,  and  the  Foundation 
of  another  laid,  to  be  built  of  Brick,  befides  Store-houfes, 
Watch-houfes,  and  other  publick  Conveniences.  Upon  the 
Verge  of  the  River  Bank,  ftood  five  Houfes,  inhabited  by 
the  better  Sort  of  People,  who  kept  continual  Sentinel  for 
the  Town's  Security.  About  two  Miles  from  the  Town, 
into  the  Main,  he  run  another  Palifade,  from  River  to  Ri- 
ver, near  two  Miles  in  Length,  guarded  with  feveral  Forts, 
with  a  large  Quantity  of  Corn-ground  empaled  and  fuffi- 
ciently  fecured.  Befides  thefe  Precautions,  there  may  fl:ill 
be  feen,  upon  the  River  Bank  within  the  Ifland,  the  Ruins 
of  a  great  Ditch,  now  over-grown  with  large  and  ftately 
Trees ;  which,  it  may  be  fuppofed,  was  defended  with  a 
Palifade,  to  prevent  a  Surprife  on  that  Side,  by  crofling  the 
River.  And  for  a  fl:ill  further  Security  to  the  Town,  he 
intended,  but  never  quite  finifhed,  a  Palifade  on  the  South 
Side  of  the  River,  as  a  Range  for  their  Hogs  ;  and  he  called 
it  Hope  in  Faith  and  Coxendale.  It  was  about  two  Miles 
and  an  half  long,  and  was  fecured  by  five  of  their  Manner 
of  Forts,  called  Charity  Fort,  Elifabeth  Fort^  Fort  Patience^ 
and  Mount  Malady^  with  a  Gueft  Houfe  for  fick  People, 
upon  a  high  and  dry  Situation,  and  in  a  wholefome  Air,  in 
the  Place,  where  yejferfon''s  Church  now  ftands.  On  the 
fame  Side  of  the  River  alfo,  Mr.  Whitaker^  their  Preacher, 
chofe  to  be  feated  ;  and  he  empaled  a  fair  Parfonage,  with 
an  hundred  Acres  of  Land,  calling  it  Rock-hall. 

About  ChriJImas^  Sir  Tho?nas  Dale^  to  revenge  fome 
Injuries  of  the  Appamattock  Indians.,  aflaulted  and  took  their 
Town,  without  the  Lofs  of  a  Man.  This  Town  ftood  at 
the  Mouth  of  the  River,  and  was  accounted  but  five  Miles, 
by  Land,  from  Henrico.  And  Sir  Thomas.,  confidering  how 
convenient  it  would   be   to   the  Englijh.,  refolved  to  pofTefs 

and 


Book.  III.     "The    History    of   VIRGINIA.  125 

and  feat  it,  and,  at  the  Inftant,   called   it   New   Bermudas.      ^^ii. 
And  he  annexed,  to  the  belonging  Freedom  and  Corpora- ^—"v"—' 
tion    for   ever,   many    Miles    of   champion    and   wood-land  ^"^  ^^"""^^ 
Ground,  in  feveral  Hundreds,  by  the   Names  of  the  Upper  vemor. 
and    Nether    Hundreds.,    Rochdale    ( now    called    Rockjdale  ) 
Hundred.,    Shirley    Hundred.,    and    Digges's    Hundred.       At 
Bermudas.,  where  was   the  moft   Corn-ground,  he   flrft  be- 
gan  to  plant ;  and  with   a  Pale  of  two  Miles,  acrofs  from 
River  to  River,  he  enclofed  and  fecured  eight  Ejtglijh  Miles 
in  Compafs.      Upon  this  Circuit,  there  were  foon  built  ma- 
ny  fair   Houfes,   to  near   the   Number  of  fifty.      Rockfdale 
was  alfo  enclofed  with  a  crofs  Palifade,  near  four  Miles  in 
Length  ;  and  there  were  many  Houfes,  planted  along  the 
Pale,  within  which  their  Hogs  and  Cattle  had  twenty  Miles 
Circuit  to  graze  in  fecurely. 

I T  will  not  be  thought,  I  believe,  foreign  to  the  Hiftory 
of  Virginia.,  occafionally  to  interfperfe  fome  Account  of 
the  Fortunes  of  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  our  Founder,  and  the 
firft  Author,  to  the  Englijh.,  of  fettling  Colonies  in  America. 
Juft  before  the  Death  of  Queen  Elifabeth.,  he  received  a 
Challenge,  upon  fome  Quarrel,  from  Sir  Amias  Prejion., 
one  of  EJJ'ex'i  Followers,  and  a  Man  of  the  Sword  ;  which 
however  was  made  up,  by  the  Mediation  of  a  certain  great 
Nobleman,  before  it  came  to  the  laft  Decifion.  But  on  this 
Occafion,  Sir  Walter.,  like  a  prudent  and  afFe6lionate  Fa- 
ther of  a  Family,  had  conveyed  all  his  landed  Eftate,  which 
confifted  of  about  three  thoufand  Pounds  a  Year,  to  his 
Wife  and  Son.  This  was  fortunately  a  Bar  to  his  Lands 
falling  abfolutely  to  the  Crown,  upon  his  Attainder.  They 
were  only  forfeited  for  his  own  Life  ;  and  the  King,  upon 
fome  powerful  Interceflion,  reftored  them  to  him  again.  So 
that  he  lived,  under  his  Confinement,  with  much  Elegan- 
cy, Neatnefs,  and  Affluence.  For  he  was  naturally  a  great 
Lover  of  Propriety  ;  and  had  been,  in  the  Time  of  his 
Profperity,  both  in  his  Drefs  and  Equipage,  one  of  the  moft 
fumptuous  and  polite  Perfons  of  the  Age.  And  now,  being 
cut  off  from  all  the  a6tive  Parts  of  Life,  he  indulged  and 
gave  a  Loofe  to  his  noble  Genius,  and  natural  Thirft  of 
Knowledge  ;  and  feemed  (to  ufe  Prince  Henry's  Allufion) 
a  finging  Bird  in  a  Cage  ;  rather  a  Philofopher,  than  a  Cap- 
tive ;  a  Student  in  a  Library,  than  a  Prifoner  in  the  Tower. 
The  Reftraint  of  his  Body  was  fo  far  from  damping  and 
confining  his  native  Greatnefs  of  Mind  and  Sublimity  of 
Parts,  that  it  only  opened  a  new  Field  of  Glory  to  him, 
and  rendered  him  as  illuftribus,  in  this  ftill  and  fedentary 
Scene  of  Life,  as  he  had  before  been,  in  his  moft  active  and 
profperous   Days.      But   at   laft,  the   Lawyers  pretended   to 

find 


126  The   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1611.  find  fome  Flaw  in  the  Conveyance  of  his  Lands  ;  and  an  In- 
''— --< '  formation  was  exhibited  againft  him,  in  the  Court  of  Ex- 
Sir  Thomas  chcquer.  His  chief  Judge,  we  are  told,  was  his  greateft 
ver'"'  °'  Enemy  ;  which,  I  fuppofe,  was  Sir  Edward  Coke^  then 
Lord  Chief  Juftice.  For  that  famous  Lawyer,  notwith- 
ftanding  his  vaft  Abilities  and  Knowledge  in  the  Common 
Law,  will  be  branded  to  all  Futurity,  for  bawling  and  rail- 
ing Sir  Walter  Ralegh  out  of  his  Life  at  his  Trial.  And 
Wilfon^  a  contemporary  Hiftorian,  tells  us,  that  it  was  po- 
pularly objected  to  him,  as  a  Judge ;  That  he  made  the 
Law  lean  too  much  to  his  own  Opinion,  thereby  becoming 
a  legal  Tyrant,  and  ftriking,  whom  he  pleafed,  with  that 
Weapon,  whofe  Edge  he  was  able  to  turn  any  Way. 
When  the  Caufe  came  to  Trial,  it  was  determined  againft 
Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  only  for  the  Want  of  one  fingle  Word 
in  his  Anfwer,  fetting  forth  that  Conveyance  ;  which  was 
neverthelefs  an  Overfight  of  the  Clerk,  and  the  Word  was 
in  the  original  Inftrument.  And  thus  was  he  moft  iniqui- 
toufly  deprived  of  his  Lands  ;  and  upon  Lady  Ralegh'''?,  paf- 
fionate  Application  to  the  King,  (he  could  obtain  no  other 
Anfwer  from  him,  but  /  mun  have  the  Land^  I  mun  have 
it  for  Gar.  It  was  accordingly  conferred  upon  that  Favou- 
rite, juft  then  in  his  Rife  ;  and  Sir  Walter  wrote  him  a 
Letter  upon  the  Occafion,  which  may  be  feen  in  his  Life, 
by  Mr.  Oldys  ;  and  which  may  be  placed,  perhaps,  among 
the  moft  beautiful,  wife,  and  pathetic  Compofitions,  that 
ever  has  appeared  of  that  Kind.  So  invariable  was  this  Mo- 
narch in  his  wrong  Judgment  of  Men  and  Things,  as  to 
aggrandize  and  enrich  fo  infignificant  a  Tool,  and  one  fo 
infamoufly  wicked,  lewd,  and  infufficient,  as  Car^  with  the 
Spoils  of  a  Perfon,  fo  truly  virtuous,  great,  and  able,  as 
Sir  Walter  Ralegh.  As  if  Fortune  had  confpired  to  expofe 
his  Weaknefs,  and  render  his  Injuftice  the  more  confpicu- 
ous  and  remarkable,  by  the  Contraft  between  the  Man,  he 
oppreffed,  and  the  Man,  he  advanced.  However,  as  fome 
Retaliation  for  the  Injuftice  and  Wrong,  his  Majefty  af- 
terwards gave  Lady  Ralegh  and  her  Son  eight  Thoufand 
Pounds  for  the  Eftate. 
jgj2  Captain   Matthew   Somers  and   his  Company,  at  their 

Return  to  England  with  Sir  George's  Body,  had  made  very 
advantageous  Relations  of  Bermudas.  But  thefe  were  little 
credited  at  firft,  and  looked  upon,  as  mere  Traveller's 
Tales ;  till  fome  of  the  Virginia  Company  apprehended, 
that  a  Settlement  there  might  be  very  beneficial  and  helpful 
to  the  Plantation  in  Virgitiia.  But  as  by  their  former  Let- 
ters-patent, they  were  only  entitled  to  the  Iflands  within  an 
hundred   Miles   of  their   Coaft,  and   as  Ber?nudas  lav  much 

beyond 


Book  III.     "The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

beyond  that  Diftance,  they  procured  a  new  Charter  from 
his  Majefty,  bearing  Date  March  12,  1611-12.  This 
granted  them  all  the  Iflands  in  the  Ocean  Seas,  within  three  ^^  Thomas 
hundred  Leagues  of  the  Coaft,  between  the  one  and  fortieth  yernor. 
and  thirtieth  Degrees  of  Northerly  Latitude.  It  alfo  gave 
them  a  Power,  to  fet  up  Lotteries  ;  to  fue  for  the  Monies 
fubfcribed,  requiring  the  Judges,  to  favour  and  further  the 
faid  Suits,  fo  far  forth,  as  Law  and  Equity  would,  in  any 
wife,  further  and  permit ;  together  with  other  ample  Privi- 
leges and  Authorities,  as  may  be  more  fully  feen  in  the 
Charter  at  large,  printed  in  the  Appendix.  But  the  Vir- 
ginia Company  fold  thefe  Iflands  to  about  an  hundred  and 
twenty  of  their  own  Members,  who  were  erecSted  into  a 
diftin£l  Society  and  Body  Corporate,  by  the  Name  of  the 
Somer-IJJands  Company.  Sir  Thomas  Smith  was  ele6led 
their  Treafurer,  or  Governor,  in  England;  and  fome  time 
this  Year  161 2,  Mr.  Richard  More  was  fent  Governor  of 
the  Country,  with  fixty  Men,  to  make  a  Settlement  and 
Plantation.  They  found  the  three  Men,  before  fpoken  of, 
lufly  and  well.  They  were  very  comfortably  feated,  and 
plentifully  ftored  with  divers  Sorts  of  excellent  Provifions. 
But  under  Colour,  that  they  were  fitted  out,  at  the  Charge, 
and  in  the  Service  of  the  Company,  thefe  three  poor  Men 
were  profecuted,  tormented,  and  threatned  by  the  Gover- 
nor, in  the  Company's  Name,  'till  they  were  entirely  de- 
prived of  their  great  Treafure  of  Ambergreafe.  However 
a  great  Part  was  embezzled  by  Captain  Davies  and  Mr. 
Edwin  Kendal^  to  whom  they  committed  it,  during  the 
Squabble  and  Contention.  So  that  not  above  a  Third  came 
into  the  Hands  of  the  Company  ;  for  which,  we  are  told, 
they  afterwards  compounded  with  the  Finders,  and  made 
them  a  juft  and  reafonable  Satisfa6lion. 

I  N  the  Beginning  of  the  fame  Year,  two  Ships  arrived 
in  Virginia^  with  a  Supply  of  Provifions  and  fourfcore  Men. 
But  thefe  Provifions,  according  to  Cuftom,  were  very  fcanty 
and  infufficient ;  and  therefore  Capt.  Argall^  who  com- 
manded one  of  the  Ships,  having  recreated  and  refreflied  his 
Company,  was  fent  to  Patowmack  River,  to  trade  for  Corn. 
For  the  Indians  about  Ja?nes-Town  were  in  a  ticklifli  State, 
and  little  to  be  depended  upon  ;  being  Friends  or  Foes,  ac- 
cording as  they  found  Advantage  and  Opportunity.  Captain 
Argall  foon  entered  into  a  great  Acquaintance  and  Friend- 
(hip  with  yapazaws^  f^i"g  of  Patowfnack^  an  old  Friend  to 
Captain  S?nith^  and  fo  to  the  whole  Englijh  Nation,  ever 
fince  the  firft  Difcovery  of  the  Country.  Hard  by  Patow- 
mack^ Pocahontas  lay  concealed,  thinking  herfelf  fafe,  and 
unknown  to  all  but  trufty  Friends.     What  was  the  Reafon 

of 


128  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1612.  of  her  abfconding  from  Werowocomoco^  cannot  eafily  be 
^-'"v  'judged ;  except  it  was  to  withdraw  herfelf  from  being  a 
%u!"'gZ  ^'^"^^s  to  the  frequent  Butcheries  of  the  Englijh^  whofe 
vernor.  Folly  and  Raflinefs,  after  Smith'^  Departure,  put  it  out  of 
her  Power  to  fave  them.  Captain  Argall^  having  got  In- 
teUigence  of  this,  engaged  to  give  Japazaws  a  Copper  Ket- 
tle, to  bring  her  on  board  his  Ship  ;  promifing  not  to  hurt 
her,  but  to  keep  her  fafe,  'till  they  could  conclude  a  Peace 
with  her  Father.  This  Savage  would  have  done  any  thing 
for  the  Copper  Kettle  ;  and  therefore,  having  no  Pretence 
on  Account  of  her  own  Curiofity,  becaufe  fhe  had  feen  and 
been  in  many  Ships,  he  made  his  Wife  pretend,  how  de- 
firous  fhe  was  to  fee  one,  fo  that  he  offered  to  beat  her  for 
her  Importunity,  'till  fhe  wept.  But  at  laft  he  told  her,  if 
Pocahontas  would  go  with  her,  he  was  content.  And 
thus,  taking  Advantage  of  her  Good-nature  and  obliging 
Temper,  they  betrayed  this  innocent  Creature  aboard  ; 
where  they  were  all  kindly  received  and  entertained  in  the 
Cabbin.  The  Captain,  when  he  faw  his  Time,  decoy'd 
Pocahontas  into  the  Gun  Room  ;  only  to  conceal  from  her, 
that  Japazaws  was  any  way  guilty  of  her  Captivity.  When 
he  had  received  his  Reward,  the  Captain  fent  for  her  again  ; 
and  told  her,  fhe  mufl  go  with  him,  and  be  the  Means  and 
Inflrument  of  Peace,  between  her  Country  and  the  Englijh. 
At  this,  the  old  Traitor  and  his  Wife  began  to  howl  and 
cry,  as  much  as  Pocahontas  \  who,  by  the  Captain's  fair 
Promifes  and  Perfuafions,  pacified  herfelf,  by  degrees.  And 
fo  Japazaws  and  his  Wife,  with  their  Kettle  and  other 
Baubles,  went  joyfully  afhore,  and  fhe  to  yames-Town ; 
where,  altho'  a  frequent  Vifitant  before,  and  often  a  kind 
Support  and  Preferver  of  the  Colony,  fhe  had  never  been 
'till  now,  fince  Captain  Smith  left  the  Country. 

A  MefTenger  was  immediately  difpatched  to  her  Father  ; 
that  he  muft  ranibm  his  Daughter  Pocahontas^  whom  he 
loved  fo  dearly,  with  the  Men,  Guns,  and  Tools  of  the 
Englijh^  which  he  had  treacheroufly  flolen  and  furprifed. 
This  unwelcome  News  much  troubled  Powhatan^  becaufe 
he  loved  both  his  Daughter  and  their  Commodities  well  ; 
and  it  threw  him  into  fuch  Perplexity,  that  it  was  three 
Months,  before  he  returned  any  Anfwer.  Then  he  fent 
back  feven  of  the  Englijh^  with  each  an  unferviceable 
Mufket  ;  and  fent  Word,  that  when  they  fhould  deliver  his 
Daughter,  he  would  make  full  Satisfa6lion  for  all  Injuries,  and 
give  them  five  hundred  Bufhels  of  Corn,  and  would  be 
their  Friend  for  ever.  But  the  EngliJ})  anfwered  ;  That 
his  Daughter  fhould  be  well  ufed ;  but  that  they  could  not 
believe,  the  refl  of  their  Arms  were  either  loft,  or  flolen 

from 


Book  III.     Tbe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

from  him  ;   and  that  therefore,  thev  would  keep  his  Daugh- 
ter, till   he   had  fent  them  all  back.      But  this  Anfwer  dif-' 
pleafed  him  fo  much,  that  they  heard  no  more  from  him,  ^"'  '^^o'"'" 
for  a  long  time  after.  ^^^^^'^^ 

At  lart,  in  the  Beginning  of  the  next  Year,  Sir  Thomas  1613. 
Dale  took  Pocaho7itas  with  him,  and  went  in  Captain  Ar- 
gal/'s  Ship,  with  fome  other  Veflels  belonging  to  the  Colo- 
ny, up  into  his  own  River,  to  his  chief  Habitation  at  ff^e- 
rowocomoco^  with  a  Partv  of  an  hundred  and  fifty  Men, 
well  appointed.  Powhatan  did  not  appear  ;  and  although 
the  Englifh  told  them,  their  Bufinefs  was  to  deliver  up  their 
Emperor's  Daughter,  upon  Reftitution  of  the  reft  of  their 
Men  and  Arms,  vet  were  thev  received  with  many  fcorn- 
ful  Bravades  and  Threats.  They  told  them,  if  thev  came 
to  fight,  they  were  welcome  ;  but  advifed  them,  as  thev 
loved  their  Lives,  to  retire  ;  or  elfe  they  would  treat  them, 
as  thev  had  done  Captain  Ratcliffe.  But  after  fome  fmall 
Skirmiflies,  and  confiderable  Damage  done  the  Indians, 
by  burning  their  Houfes,  and  fpoiling  all,  they  could  find, 
a  Peace  was  patched  up.  They  immediately  fent  MefTen- 
gers  to  Powhatan  ;  and  they  told  the  Englifh^  that  their 
Men  were  run  off,  for  fear  they  fliould  hang  them  ;  but 
that  Poiuhatan's  Men  were  run  after,  to  bring  them  back ; 
and  that  their  Swords  and  Mufkets  fhould  be  brought,  the 
next  Day.  But  the  Englijh^  perceiving,  that  this  was  all 
CoUufion,  only  to  delay  the  Time,  till  thev  could  carry  off 
their  Goods  and  Provifions,  told  them,  that  they  ftiould 
have  a  Truce,  till  the  next  Day  at  Noon  ;  but  then,  if 
they  had  not  a  dire6l  Anfwer  to  their  Demands,  or  found 
them  inclinable  to  fight,  they  fhould  know,  when  the  En- 
glijh  would  begin,  by  the  Sound  of  their  Drums  and  Trum- 
pets. Upon  Confidence  of  this  Truce,  two  of  Powhatan's 
Sons  came  on  board  the  Ship,  to  fee  their  Sifter;  on  whofe 
Sight,  finding  her  well,  although  they  had  heard  the  con- 
trary, they  greatly  rejoiced  ;  and  they  promifed  to  perfuade 
their  Father,  to  redeem  her,  and  for  ever  be  Friends  with 
the  EngUJh.  Hereupon  Mr.  fohn  Rolfe  and  Mr.  Sparks 
were  fent  to  Powhatan^  to  acquaint  him  with  the  Bufinefs. 
They  were  kindly  received  and  entertained,  but  not  admit- 
ted into  the  Prefence  of  the  Emperor.  They  only  fpoke 
with  Opechancanough^  who  promifed  to  do  his  utmoft  with 
his  Brother,  to  incline  him  to  Peace  and  Friendfhip.  But 
it  now  being  Aprils  and  Time  to  prepare  their  Ground,  and 
fet  their  Corn,  they  returned  to  "James-Town^  without  do- 
ing any  thing  more  in  the  Affair. 

Long    before   this,    Mr.    John   Rolfe^   a   worthy   young 

Gentleman,  and  of  good  Behaviour,  had  been  in  Love  with 

^^  K  Pocahontas. 


130  The   History    of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1 61 3.     Pocahontas^  and  ihe  with  him.      And  at  this  time,  he  made 

• V ■  the   thing    known   to   Sir  Thomas  Dale^  through   Mr.  Ralph 

Sir  Thomas  Hamer^  and  wrote  him  a  Letter,  entreating  his  Advice  ; 
Sm"r^°'^"'^  fhe  likewile  acquainted  her  Brother  with  it.  Sir  Tho- 
mas Dale  highly  approved  of  it ;  and  the  Report  of  this 
Marriage  foon  coming  to  the  Knowledge  of  Powhatan^  it 
was  found  a  thing  acceptable  to  him,  by  his  fudden  Con- 
fent.  For  within  ten  Days,  he  fent  Opachifco^  an  old 
Uncle  of  hers,  and  two  of  his  Sons,  to  fee  the  Manner  of 
the  Marriage,  and  to  do  in  that  Behalf,  what  they  were 
required,  for  the  Confirmation  of  it,  as  his  Deputies.  It 
was  therefore  folemnifed  in  the  Beginning  o(  Jpril  161 3; 
and  ever  after,  thev  had  friendly  Trade  and  Commerce,  as 
well  with  Powhatan  himfelf,  as  with  all  his  Subje^ls. 

The  Chickahominies  were  a  ftout,  daring,  and  free  Peo- 
ple. They  had  no  Werowance,  or  fmgle  Ruler,  but  were 
governed,  in  a  Republican  Form,  by  their  Elders.  Thefe 
were  their  Priefts,  and  fome  of  the  wifeft  of  their  old  Men, 
as  Affiftants  to  them.  In  Confequence  of  thefe  Principles 
of  Government,  they  took  all  Opportunities  of  (baking  off 
Poivhatans  Yoke,  whom  they  looked  upon  and  hated,  as 
a  Tyrant.  And  therefore,  they  had  taken  Advantage  of 
thefe  late  Times  of  Hoftility  and  Danger  as  well  to  the 
Indians^  as  to  the  Efiglijh^  to  affert  their  Liberty.  But 
now,  feeing  Poiuhatan  fo  clofelv  linked  with  the  Engl'ifh^ 
both  in  Affinity  and  Friendfhip,  they  were  in  great  Concern 
and  Dread,  left  he  fhould  bring  them  again  to  his  Subjec- 
tion. To  prevent  which,  they  fent  Ambaffadors  to  Sir 
Thomas  Dale  ;  excufmg  all  former  Injuries,  and  promifing 
ever  after  to  be  King  Jameses  faithful  Subjects  :  That  they 
would  relinquifh  the  Name  of  Chickahominies^  and  be  called 
TaJfauteJJus^  or  Englifhmen^  and  that  Sir  Thomas  Dale  (hould 
be  their  Governor,  as  the  King's  Deputy.  Only  they  de- 
fired  to  be  governed  by  their  own  Laws,  under  their  eight 
Elders,  as  his  Subftitutes.  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  hoping  for 
fome  Advantage  from  this,  willingly  accepted  their  Offer. 
At  the  Day  appointed,  with  Captain  Argall  and  fifty  Men, 
he  went  to  Chickahominy  \  where  he  found  the  People  af- 
affembled,  expecting  his  Coming.  Thev  treated  him  kind- 
ly ;  and  the  next  Morning,  having  held  a  Council,  the 
Peace  was  concluded  on  thefe  Conditions  : 

I.  That  they  fhould  for  ever  be  called  Englijhmen^  and 
be  true  Subje6ts  to  King  Ja?nes  and  his  Deputies  : 

II.  That  they  fhould  neither  kill,  nor  detain,  any  of 
the  Englijh^  or  of  their  Cattle,  but  fhould  bring  them 
home : 

III.  That 


Book  III.     The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  131 

III.  That  they  fhould  be  always  ready,  to  furnifh  the      1613. 

Englijh  with   three  hundred  Men,  againft  the  Spaniards^  or  ~~— '-^^ ' 

any  other  Enemy  :  S'""  Thomas 

IV.  That   they   fhould   not   enter  any  of  the  -^".f ^'7^ vernor    °' 
Towns,  before  fending  in  Word,  that  they  were  new  En- 
glijhmen : 

V.  That  every  fighting  Man,  at  gathering  their  Corn, 
fhould  bring  two  Bufhels  to  the  Store,  as  a  Tribute  ;  for 
which  he  fhould  receive  as  many  Hatchets  : 

VI.  That  the  eight  chief  Men  fhould  fee  all  this  per- 
formed, or  receive  the  Punifhment  themfelves  ;  and  for 
their  Diligence,  they  fhould  have  a  red  Coat,  a  Copper 
Chain,  and  King  James's  Pi6lure,  and  be  accounted  his 
Nobleman. 

These  Articles  were  joyfully  afTented  to  and  ratified, 
by  a  great  Shout  and  Acclamation  ;  and  one  of  their  Elders 
began  an  Oration,  addrefling  his  Speech,  firft  to  the  old 
Men,  then  to  the  Young,  and  then  to  the  Women  and 
Children,  to  make  them  underfland,  how  ftridtly  they  were 
to  obferve  thefe  Conditions,  and  that  then  the  Engli/h  would 
defend  them  from  the  Fury  of  Powhatan^  or  any  other  E- 
nemy  whatfoever.  And  thus  was  their  Liberty  once  more 
fecured  ;  which  indeed  had  its  ufual  good  Effects,  even  a- 
mong  thefe  wild  and  favage  Nations.  For  altho'  Chickaho- 
miny  is  far  from  being  famous  for  good  Land,  yet  we  are 
told,  that  they  had  the  largefl  Fields,  and  moft  plentiful 
Crops  of  Corn,  and  the  greatefl  Abundance  of  all  other 
Provifions  and  NecefTaries,  of  any  People  then  in  the  Coun- 
try. Such  a  happy  Influence  had  Liberty,  and  fuch  vifible 
Incitement  did  firm  Property  give  to  the  Induftry  of  even 
that  lazy  and  improvident  People. 

And  now  the  Engli/h  began  to  find  the  Miftake  of  for- 
bidding and  preventing  private  Property.  For  whilfl  they 
all  laboured  jointly  together,  and  were  fed  out  of  the  com- 
mon Store,  happy  was  he,  that  could  flip  from  his  Labour, 
or  flubber  over  his  Work  in  any  Manner.  Neither  had 
they  any  Concern  about  the  Increafe  ;  prefuming,  however 
the  Crop  profpered,  that  the  publick  Store  mufl  ftill  main- 
tain them.  Even  the  mofl  honefl  and  induftrious  would 
fcarcely  take  fo  much  true  Pains  in  a  Week,  as  they 
would  have  done  for  themfelves  in  a  Day.  The  five  Years 
alfo,  prefcribed  in  his  Majefly's  Inflru6f:ions  under  the  Privy 
Seal,  for  trading  all  together  in  common  Stocks,  and  bring- 
ing the  whole  Fruit  of  their  Labours  into  common  Store- 
houfes,  were  now  expired.  Therefore,  to  prevent  this  In- 
conveniency  and  bad  Confequence,  Sir  Thomas  Dale  allotted 

K  2  each 


132  the   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

161 3.     each  Man  three  Acres  of  cleared  Ground,  in  the  Nature 

' Y ■  of  Farms.      They   were  to  work   eleven    Months  for  the 

Si^r  Thomas  Store,  and  had  two  Bufhels  of  Corn  from  thence  ;  and  only 
vem'or  °  ^^'^  °"^  Month  allowed  them,  to  make  the  reft  of  their 
Provifions.  This  was  certainly  very  hard  and  pinching  ; 
but  his  new  and  favourite  Settlement  at  Bermudas  Hundred 
had  better  Conditions.  For  one  Month's  Labour,  which 
muft  neither  be  in  Seed-time  nor  Harveft,  they  were  ex- 
empted from  all  further  Service  ;  and  for  this  Exemption 
they  only  paid  two  Barrels  and  a  half  of  Corn,  as  a  Yearly 
Tribute  to  the  Store.  However,  the  Profpe£t  of  thefe  Far- 
mers Labours  gave  the  Colony  much  Content ;  and  they 
were  no  longer  in  Fear  of  wanting,  either  for  themfelves, 
or  to  entertain  their  new  Supplies. 

Sir  Thomas  Dale  had  been  very  active  and  induftrious 
in  ranging  about  and  viewing  the  Country,  and  was  vaftly 
delighted  with  its  Pleafantnefs  and  Fertility.  Being  there- 
fore much  vexed  and  concerned,  to  find  the  Poffeffion  of 
fo  noble  a  Territory  fet  fo  light  by  at  home,  as  even  fome- 
times  to  be  debated,  whether  it  fhould  be  farther  profecu- 
ted,  or  entirely  abandoned,  he  wrote  a  Letter  to  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smithy  the  Treafurer ;  wherein  he  afTures  them  all, 
and  prays  them  to  remember  it,  that  if  they  ftiould  give 
over  the  Enterprife,  and  lofe  the  Country,  they  would,  in 
their  great  Wifdom,  commit  an  Error  of  fuch  Prejudice 
and  Damage  to  England^  as  had  never  happened  to  it,  fince 
the  Lofs  of  the  Kingdom  of  France.  He  defires  them  not 
to  be  gulled  and  deceived,  by  the  clamorous  Reports  of 
bafe  People,  but  to  believe  Caleb  and  Jojhua.  And  if  the 
Glory  of  God,  and  the  Converfion  of  thofe  poor  Infidels, 
had  no  Influence  on  the  rich  Mammons  of  the  Earth  ;  yet 
he  advifes  them  to  follow  the  Dictates  of  their  own  Avarice, 
and  only  to  confult  their  proper  Intereft  and  Advantage. 
For  he  protefts  on  the  Faith  of  an  honeft  Man,  that  the 
more  he  ranged  and  faw  of  the  Country,  the  more  he  ad- 
mired it ;  and  that  having  feen  the  beft  Parts  of  Europe^ 
yet  he  declares,  with  a  folemn  Affeveration,  that  put  them 
all  together,  he  thought,  this  Country  would  be  equivalent 
to  them,  if  it  were  once  well  cultivated,  and  feated  with 
good  and  induftrious  People. 
,6j.  Early  in  the  next  Year,  Sir  Thomas  Gates  returned  to 

»-_  ._^  England^  and  left  the  Government  again  to  Sir  Thomas 
Sir  Thomas  Dale.  Undcrftanding,  that  there  was  a  Colony  of  French^ 
Dale,  Go-  in  the  Northern  Part  of  Virginia^  about  the  Latitude  of 
vernor.  ^^^  j^^  ^^^^  Captain  Jrgall  thither,  to  Port  Royal  and  St. 
Croixj  two  Towns,  lying  on  each  Side  of  the  Bay  of  Fun- 
di, in  Acadia.      Finding  the  French  difperfed  abroad  in   the 

Woods, 


Book  III.      T'he   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

Woods,  he  lurpriled  their  Ship  and  Bark,  lately  arrived 
from  France.  In  them  was  much  good  Apparel,  with  other' 
Furniture  and  Provifion,  which  he  brought  to  James-Town  ;  ^"'  Tf^"""^^ 
but  the  Men  efcaped,  and  lived  among  the  Indians  of  thofe  ^" ''  ^°' 
Countries.  The  Pretence  for  this  Depredation  on  the 
French.,  was  founded  on  their  Right  of  firft  Difcovery ; 
and  therefore  the  EngUJh.,  in  Imitation  of  the  Spaniards., 
laid  Claim  to  the  whole  Continent,  altho'  they  really  pof- 
fefled,  and  had  feated  fo  fmall  a  Part  of  it.  But  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  we  were,  at  that  time,  in  profound  Peace,  not 
only  with  France.,  but  the  whole  World.  In  his  Return, 
Captain  Argall  likewife  vifited  the  Dutch  Settlement,  on 
Hudfon's  River  ;  and  he  alledged,  that  Captain  Hudfon.,  the 
firft  Difcoverer,  under  whofe  Sale  they  claimed  that  Coun- 
try, being  an  Engli/hman.,  and  licenfed  to  difcover  thofe 
Northern  Parts,  by  the  King  of  England.,  could  not  alienate 
that,  which  was  only  a  Part  of  Virginia.,  from  the  Englijh 
Crown.  He  therefore  demanded  the  PofTeffion  ;  and  the 
Dutch  Governor,  being  unable  to  refift,  peaceably  fubmit- 
ted  both  himfelf  and  his  Colony,  to  the  King  of  England., 
and  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  under  him.  Soon  after, 
a  new  Governor  arrived  from  Amfterdam.,  better  provided. 
Under  Colour  of  their  Right  of  Purchafe,  and  becaufe  the 
Country  lay  void  and  unoccupied,  and  confequently  open 
to  the  firft  Pofleftbr,  he  not  only  refufed  to  pay  the  Tribute 
and  Acknowledgment,  which  had  been  agreed  upon,  but 
alfo  began  to  fortify,  and  put  himfelf  into  a  Pofture  of  De- 
fence. And  the  Claim  of  the  Englijh.,  being  either  wholly 
waved  for  the  prefent,  or  but  faintly  purfued,  they,  this 
fame  Year,  made  a  firm  Settlement,  which  foon  became 
very  flourifhing  and  populous.  But  Complaint  being  made, 
fome  Years  after,  to  King  Charles  I.  and  by  him  reprefent- 
ed  to  the  States  of  Holland.,  they  declared,  by  a  publick 
Inftrument,  that  they  were  no  ways  concerned  in  it,  but 
that  it  was  a  private  Undertaking  of  the  Wejl-India  Com- 
pany of  Jmjierdam  ;  and  fo  referred  it  wholly  to  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Pleafure. 

M  R .  Ralph  Hamer.,  who  was  afterwards  one  of  our 
Council,  and  to  whofe  Relation  we  are  indebted  for  this 
Part  of  the  Hiftory  of  Virginia.,  having  refided  fome  Years 
here,  ever  fince  the  great  Supply  1609,  and  being  now  a- 
bout  to  return  to  England.,  was  very  defirous  to  vifit  Pow- 
hatan and  his  Court,  and  to  be  able,  when  he  went  home, 
to  fpeak  fomething  of  his  own  Knowledge.  Sir  Thomas 
Dale  alfo  thought  it  advifeable,  to  have  fome  further  Pledge 
of  Powhatan  s  Friendfhip,  befides  Pocahontas.  It  was  there- 
fore refolved,   to  fend  this  Gentleman,  as  his  Ambaflador, 

K3  to 


134  Tke   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  III. 

1614.  to  demand  his  other  Daughter.  Wherefore,  Mr.  Hamer^ 
"  v^"^  taking  Thomas  Savage  for  his  Interpreter,  and  two  Indians 
Sir  Thomas  f^j.  j^jg  Quidcs,  went  ofF  in  the  Morning  from  Bermudas^ 
vernor  °"  (^'^  Thomas  Dale's  favourite  Seat,  and  chief  Place  of  Re- 
fidence)  and  arrived  the  next  Evening  at  Matchot.  This 
was  a  Seat  of  the  King's,  where  he  then  was,  a  i^^N  Miles 
higher  up  York  River,  than  Werowocomoco.  Powhatan 
knew  the  Boy,  Thomas  Savage^  well,  whom  Newport  had 
prefented  to  him,  in  the  Year  1607  ;  and  he  faid  to  him  : 
Aly  Child^  you  were  my  Boy^  and  I  gave  you  Leave^  four 
Years  ago^  to  go  and  fee  your  Friends  \  but  I  have  never  feen 
nor  heard  of  you^  nor  my  own  Man  Namontack  ftnce^  altho^ 
many  Ships  have  gone  and  returned.  Then  turning  to  Mr. 
Hamer^  he  demanded  the  Chain  of  Pearl,  which  he  fent 
to  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  when  the  Peace  was  concluded  ;  and 
which  was  to  be  a  Token  between  them,  whenever  Sir 
Thomas  fent  a  Meflenger  to  him  ;  otherwife,  he  was  to 
bind  him,  and  fend  him  back,  as  a  Deferter.  It  was  true, 
there  was  fuch  an  Agreement  ;  and  Sir  Thomas  Dale  had 
ordered  his  Page  to  deliver  the  Chain  to  Mr.  Hamer.,  but 
the  Page  either  negle6ted  or  forgot  it.  Mr.  Hamer  there- 
fore replied,  that  he  knew  not  of  any  fuch  Order  ;  and  if 
there  was  fuch  a  Token,  it  was  only  intended,  when  Sir 
Thotnas.,  upon  the  fudden,  fliould  fend  an  Englijh  Meflen- 
ger, without  an  Indian  Guide.  But  if  his  own  People 
fhould  condu£t  the  Meflenger,  which  was  the  Cafe  at  pre- 
fent,  that  was  a  fufficient  Teftimony  and  Credential.  With 
this  Anfwer  Powhdtan  was  fatisfied,  and  conduced  them  to 
his  Houfe,  where  a  Guard  of  two  hundred  Bowmen  atten- 
ded. Firfl:  he  offered  Mr.  Hamer  a  Pipe  of  Tobacco,  and 
then  afked  after  his  Brother,  Sir  Thomas  Dale's  Health  ; 
and  how  his  Daughter,  and  unknown  Son,  lived  and  liked. 
And  being  told,  that  his  Brother  was  well  ;  and  that  his 
Daughter  was  fo  delighted  with  her  Condition,  that  fhe 
would  not,  upon  any  Account,  return  and  live  again  with 
him,  he  laughed  heartily,  and  feemed  much  pleafed  to  hear 
it. 

After  that,  he  demanded  of  Mr.  Hamer  his  Bufinefs; 
who  telling  him,  that  it  was  private,  he  infliantly  com- 
manded all  out  of  the  Houfe,  except  his  two  Queens,  that 
always  fat  by  him,  and  then  bad  him  fpeak  on.  Mr.  Ha- 
mer firfl:  prefented  him  with  feveral  Toys,  fent  bv  Sir  Tho- 
mas Dale  ;  and  then  he  told  him,  that  his  Brother  Dale., 
having  heard  of  the  Fame  of  his  youngeft  Daughter,  in- 
tended to  marry  her  to  fome  worthy  Englijh  Gentleman, 
which  would  be  highly  pleafing  and  agreeable  to  her  Sifter, 
who   was   very   defirous   to  fee   her,  and  to  have  her  near 

her  ; 


vernor. 


Book  III.     '-The   History    of  VIRGINIA.  135 

her  ;   and  that   therefore,  he  defired,  as  a  Teftimony  of  his      '^H- 

Love,  that  he  would  fend  her  to  him.      For  fince  they  were  " -r- — ' 

now  become  one  People,  and  defigned  to  dwell  together  in  ^"^  Thomas 
the  fame  Country,  he  conceived,  there  could  be  no  firmer  "  '' 
Union,  nor  flronger  Aflurance  of  Love  and  Friendfhip, 
than  fuch  a  natural  Band  of  Intermarriage  and  Alliance. 
Powhatan^  who  often  interrupted  him,  and  betrayed  many 
Signs  of  Uneafinefs,  the  whole  Time,  he  was  fpeaking, 
immediately  returned  this  Anfwer,  with  much  Serioufnefs 
and  Gravity. 

/  gladly  accept  my  Brother's  Salute  of  Love  and  Peace  \ 
which ^  whiljl  I  I'lve^  I  will  punctually  and  exactly  keep.  I 
likewife  receive  his  Prefents^  as  Pledges  thereof  with  no  lefs 
Thankfulnefs.  But  as  to  my  Daughter^  I  Jold  her^  a  few 
Days  fince^  to  a  great  JVerowance^  for  two  Bufhels  of  Roanoke. 
Mr.  Hamer  told  him,  that  the  Roanoke  was  but  a  Trifle 
to  fo  great  a  Prince  ;  and  by  returning  it,  he  might  recall 
her,  and  gratify  his  Brother.  And  he  further  allured  him, 
befides  ftrengthening  the  ftrift  Band  of  Peace  and  Friendfhip 
between  them,  that  he  fhould  have  three  times  the  Worth 
of  the  Roanoke  for  her,  in  Beads,  Copper,  and  other  Com- 
modities. This  extorted  the  Truth  from  him  ;  and  he  in- 
genuoufly  confefled,  that  the  Reafon  of  his  Refufal,  was 
the  Love,  he  bore  his  Daughter.  Altho'  he  had  many 
Children,  yet  he  delighted  in  none,  he  faid,  fo  much  as 
her  ;  and  he  could  not  poflibly  live  without  often  feeing  her  ; 
which  he  could  not  do,  if  (he  lived  among  the  EngliJJj. 
For  he  had  determined,  upon  no  Terms,  to  put  himfelf  in- 
to their  Hands,  or  come  among  them.  He  therefore  de- 
fired  him,  to  urge  him  no  farther  upon  the  Subjeft,  but  to 
return  his  Brother  this  Anfwer  :  That  he  held  it  not  a  bro- 
therly Part.,  to  endeavour  to  bereave  hi?n  of  his  two  darling 
Children  at  once :  That.,  for  his  Part.,  he  deftred  no  farther 
Affurance  of  his  Friendjhip.,  than  the  Promife.,  he  had  given  : 
and.,  That  from  him..  Sir  Thomas  already  had  a  Pledge.,  one 
of  his  Daughters.,  which.,  as  long  as  Jhe  lived.,  would  be  fuf- 
fcient  \  but  if  Jhe  fhould  happen  to  die.,  he  promifed  to  give 
another.  And  further.,  fays  he,  tell  him.,  altho'  he  had  no 
Pledge  at  all.,  yet  he  need  not  diflrufl  any  Injury  from  me  or 
my  People.  There  hath  been  enough  of  Blood  and  War.  Too 
many  have  been  fain  already.,  on  both  Sides  ;  and.,  by  my  Oc- 
cafion.,  there  fhall  never  be  more.  /,  who  have  Power  to  per- 
form it.,  have  faid  it.  I  am  now  grown  old.,  and  would  gladly 
end  my  Days  in  Peace  and  ^ietnefs  ;  and  altho'  I  fhould  have 
juji  Cauje  of  Refentment.,  yet  my  Country  is  large  enough.,  and 
I  can  go  from  you.  And  this  Anfwer.,  I  hope.,  will  fatisfy 
my  Brother. 

K  4  Whilst 


136  The   History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1 614.         Whilst  Mr,  Hamer  ftaid  here,  by  Chance  there  came 

■ >^ an   Englijhman^  who   had   been   taken,   three   Years  before, 

Sir  Thomai  ^j.  Pgf.f  Henry^  on  the  Mouth  of  Hampton  River.  He  was 
vernor  °'  grown  fo  like  an  Indian^  both  in  Complexion  and  Habit, 
that  he  could  be  diftinguifhed  from  them  by  nothing  but  his 
Language,  He  begged  of  Mr.  Hamer^  to  procure  his  Li- 
berty ;  which,  with  much  Difficulty,  he  did.  And  now 
being  about  to  return,  Powhatan  defired  him,  to  put  his 
Brother  Dale  in  Mind,  to  fend  him  feveral  Toys  and  Tools  ; 
which,  left  he  fhould  forget,  he  made  him  write  them  down, 
in  a  Table-Book,  that  he  had.  However  he  got  it,  it  was 
a  very  fair  one  ;  and  Mr.  Hamer  defired,  he  would  give  it 
to  him.  But  he  told  him,  he  could  not  part  with  it :  For 
it  did  him  much  Good,  in  fhewing  to  Strangers.  After 
which,  having  furnifhed  them  well  with  Provifions,  he  dif- 
mifled  them  ;  giving  each  a  Buckfkin,  extremely  well  dref- 
fed,  and  fending  two  more,  to  his  Son  and  Daughter. 

All  this  while,  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  Mr.  IVhitaker^  Mi- 
nifter  of  Bermuda-Hundred^  and  Mr.  Rolfe^  her  Hu(band, 
were  very  careful  and  affiduous,  in  inftru6ling  Pocahontas  in 
the  Chriftian  Religion  ;  and  fhe,  on  her  Part,  exprefled  an 
eager  Defire,  and  (hewed  great  Capacity  in  learning.  After 
fhe  had  been  tutored  for  fome  time,  (he  openly  renounced 
the  Idolatry  of  her  Country,  confefled  the  Faith  of  Chrift, 
and  was  baptized  by  the  Name  of  Rebecca.  But  her  real 
Name,  it  feems,  was  originally  Matoax  \  which  the  Indians 
carefully  concealed  from  the  Englifl:>^  and  changed  it  to  Po- 
cahontas^ out  of  a  fuperftitious  Fear,  left  they,  by  the 
Knowledge  of  her  true  Name,  fhould  be  enabled  to  do  her 
fome  Hurt.  She  was  the  firft  Chriftian  Indian  in  thefe  Parts, 
and  perhaps  the  fincereft  and  moft  worthy,  that  has  ever 
been  fince.  And  now  fhe  had  no  Manner  of  Defire,  to  re- 
turn to  her  Father  ;  neither  could  flie  well  endure  the  bru- 
tifh  Manners,  or  Society,  of  her  own  Nation.  Her  Affec- 
tion to  her  Hufband  was  extremely  conftant  and  true  ;  and 
he,  on  the  other  Hand,  underwent  great  Torment  and  Pain, 
out  of  his  violent  Paffion,  and  tender  Sollicitude  for  her. 

Whilst  thefe  things  were  tranfa6ling  in  Virginia., 
Captain  Smith's  reftlefs  and  enterprifing  Genius  could  not 
brook  a  Life  of  Indolence  and  Ina6tivity  at  home.  He  there- 
fore undertook  a  Voyage  for  fome  Merchants,  to  that  Part 
of  Virginia.,  which  had  been  difcovered  by  Captain  Gof- 
mld.,  in  the  Year  1602,  Having  made  an  advantageous 
Voyage  for  his  Owners,  and  taken  an  exa6l  Chart  ot  the 
Coaft,  he  then  firft  called  the  Country  Neiv-England.  This 
Name  was  afterwards  confirmed  and  eftablifhed  by  Prince 
Charles.,    who   likewife,    at    Captain    Smith's     Defire,    gave 

Names 


Book  III.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Names  to  feveral  Places  and  Rivers  along  the  Coaft,  from 
Cape  Cod  as  far  as  the  Bay  oi  Fundi.  It  was  refolved,  to 
fettle  the  Country  immediately,  under  the  Condu6t  of  Cap-^"'  Thomas 
tain  Smith  •,  who  was  graced  with  the  empty  Title  of  Ad-  pernor 
miral  of  New-England.  But  he  meeting  with  many  crofs 
Accidents  the  next  Year,  and  being  at  laft  taken  by  a  French 
Rover,  the  Proje6l  became  abortive  ;  and  it  was  the  Year 
1620,  before  any  Settlement  was  made  there. 

This  Year  alfo,  Sir  IValter  Ralegh  firft  publifhed  his 
Hiftory  of  the  World  •,  which  was  received  with  all  due 
Applaufe  and  Admiration  by  the  Publick,  but  gave  Um- 
brage, we  are  told,  to  the  King.  Some  Authors  have  in- 
finuated,  that  that  Royal  Pedant  was  piqued,  as  an  Author, 
and  jealous  of  him  in  that  Capacity.  As  if  it  would  ever 
come  into  any  Man's  Head,  to  put  that  admirable  Work 
in  the  Ballance  with  his  old-wififti  Garrulities  ;  which  are 
now  only  to  be  found  in  the  ColleiSlions  of  the  Curious,  as 
a  comic  and  ridiculous  Entertainment,  and  a  proper  Sub- 
ject for  Laughter  and  Contempt.  Others  fay,  that  he  was 
fcandalized  at  the  Freedom,  which  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  had 
taken  with  fome  dead  Princes,  and  particularly  with  Henry 
VIII  ;  thinking  it  perhaps  an  unpardonable  Infolence,  and  a 
Kind  of  Blafphemy,  that  any,  below  a  Crowned  Head, 
ftiould  dare  to  cenfure  their  Actions.  Whilft  others  tell  us, 
that,  through  the  mifchievous  Infinuations  of  fome  Syco- 
phants about  hihi,  he  fufpe6led,  that  it  contained  an  artful 
Expofure  of  himfelf  and  Miniftry.  And  thus  truly,  as  Mr. 
Oldys  obferves,  the  General  Hiftory  of  the  World  was  turn- 
ed into  a  fecret  Hiftory,  or  oblique  Satire,  upon  his  Court  ; 
and  Scotch  Faces  were  to  be  feen  in  it,  ftuck  upon  old  few- 
ijh.^  Babylonian^  or  AJfyrian  Shoulders.  Altho',  as  it  is  re- 
marked by  another  Author,  he  might  eafily  be  led  to  fancy, 
he  faw  in  the  Face  of  Ninias^  the  Son  of  Semiramis,  his 
own  Features,  as  Succeffbr  to  the  Britijl)  Semirarnis  ;  and 
that  his  particular  Injuftice,  to  the  Writer,  was  well  repre- 
fented  and  cenfured,  in  the  Story  of  Jhab's  taking  away 
Naboth'%  Vineyard.  But  from  whatever  Caufe  his  Oft'ence 
arofe,  I  thought,  it  would  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  Rea- 
der, to  make  this  fhort  Digreftion,  to  the  Honour  of  that 
immortal  Work.  For  next  to  the  Praife  and  Approbation 
of  the  Wife,  it  hath  been  ever  efteemed  a  fecondary  Hon- 
our to  an  Author,  to  be  carped  at,  by  the  foolifh  Cavils, 
and  vain  Exceptions,  of  thofe  of  a  contrary  CharacSler. 

In    'June.,   Captain  Argall  fet   Sail  for   England.^  and  gave 

an  Account  of  the  quiet  and  flourifliing  State  of  the  Colony  ; 

which   Report   was   ftrengthened   by   the    Teftimony   of  Sir 

Thomas  Gates^  who  had  returned   from  Virginia^  the  March 

2^  before. 


138  The    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1615-     before.       To  back   this   Succefs  with  all    Expedition,  the 

"——v '  Council    and    Company   refolved,   that    the    great    Virginia 

Sir  Thoniai  Lottery  {hould  be  drawn,  with  all  convenient  Speed  ;  which 
'"^'    '^"    was    accordinelv    done,   the    followina;    Year    161 5.     The 
fame  Year,  a   Spanijh  Ship  was  feen  to  beat  to  and  fro,  off 
Point  Comfort  \  and  at  laft,  (he  fent  a  Boat  afhore,  for  a  Pilot. 
Captain  Davies^  the  Governor  of  the  Fort,  readily  granted 
one,   and   fent   Mr.    fohn  Clarke ;    who   was   no   fooner   on 
board,  but  they  fet  Sail,  and  carried  him  off  to  Spain.      He 
was  there   ftrongly  foUicited,   to  become   their  Inftrument 
and  Pilot,  to  betray  the  Colony.      But  he  bravely  and  ho- 
neftly  refifted  all  their  Temptations  ;     and  was,  therefore, 
obliged  to  undergo  a  long  Captivity.      At   laft,  after   four 
Years  Imprifonment,  he  was,  with  much   Suit,  returned  to 
England.       But   the    Spanijh   Ship,   by  fome   Accident,    left 
three    of  her   own    Men   behind  ;    who   were   immediately 
feized,  and  ftri6lly  examined.      They  faid,  that  having  loft 
their  Admiral,  they  were  forced  into  thefe  Parts  ;  and  that 
two  of  them  were  Captains,  and  in  chief  Authority  in  the 
Fleet.      But  fometime  after,  one  was  difcovered  to  be  an 
Englijhman  ;   who  had  been  a   Pilot  in  the  Spanijh  Armada.^ 
in  the  grand  Expedition  againft  England.,  in  the  Year  1588. 
And  not  content  with  this  Perfidy  and  Bafenefs  to  his  Coun- 
try, he  began  here  to  plot,  and  perfuaded  fome   Malecon- 
tents,  to  join  with  him,  in  running  away  with  a  fmall   Bark. 
But  they  were  apprehended,  and  fome  of  them  executed  ; 
and   he,  now  lying  at   Mercy,  readily  confeffed,  that  there 
were   two  or  three   Spanijh  Ships  at   Sea,  fent  purpofely  to 
difcover  the  State  of  the  Colony.      But  he  faid,  their  Com- 
miflion  was  not  to  be  opened,  'till  they  arrived  in  the  Bay  ; 
fo  that,  of  any  thing  further  he  was  utterly  ignorant.      One 
of  the  Spaniards  died  here,  and  the  other  was  fent  to  En- 
gland.     But  this  Renegado  was  hanged  at  Sea,  by  Sir  Tho- 
mas Dale.,  in  his  Voyage  homeward. 
1616.  For  Sir  Thomas  Dale  had  now  been  five  Years  in  the 

^s .^ '  Country  ;  and  he  had  been,  for  fome  time  paft,  kept  here, 

George     and  fupported  under  a  longing  Defire  to  vifit  his  own  Affairs 
Teardley,    ^^^   Family,  by  a  juft  Senfe  of  his  Duty  to  God   and  his 
..,„  Country,  and  out  of  Compaflion  to  the  poor  Creatures  com- 

mitted to  his  Charge.  But  now  the  Country  being  in  per- 
fecSt  Peace,  and  having  fettled  all  things  in  good  Order, 
and  made  Choice  of  Mr.  George  Teardley.,  to  be  Deputy- 
Governor  in  his  Abfence,  he  embarked  for  England.,  with 
Pocahontas  and  Mr.  Rolfe  her  Hufband  ;  and  carrying  with 
them  feveral  young  Indians  of  both  Sexes,  they  all  arrived 
fafe  at  Plimouth.,  the  12th  of  fune^  1616.  But  at  the  time 
of   his    Daughter's    Departure,    Powhatan    had    withdrawn 

himfelf 


Governor. 


Book  III.     rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.  139 

himfelf  to   the    King   of  Moy-umps^  on   Patowmack   River  ;      1616. 
out   of  Fear,  as   it   was   fuppofed,  of  Opechancanough.      For  ^— — < — —^ 
he  was  then  a    Man  very  gracious  and  popular,  both  with  Gco.Tcard- 
the  Indians  and  the  Englijh  ;  and  as  Opitchapan^  the  fecond  '^^^ 
Brother,   was   lame  and  decrepit,  he   was  thought  to  look 
upon  Powhatan^  a  Perfon  of  equal  Ambition  and   Capacity 
for  Government,  as  the  only  Obftacle  to  his  afpiring  Hopes 
and   Defigns.      And  therefore,   Powhatan   fufpe6led    at    this 
time,  that  he  had  entered  into  a  Confpiracy  with  the  En- 
glijh^ to  betray  him  into  their  Hands  ;  a  Cafe,  which  he  had 
ever  dreaded,  and  which,  he  had  therefore  turned  the  whole 
Force  of  his  Politicks,  to  prevent  and  avoid. 

This  worthy  and  honourable  Knight,  Sir  Thomas  Dale^ 
who  may  juftly  be  ranked  among  the  firft  and  beft  of  our 
Governors,  had,  by  his  fingular  Vigor  and  Induftry,  and 
by  his  Judgment  and  Conduct  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Colony, 
put  things  into  fuch  an  eafy  and  profperous  Condition,  that, 
from  this  Time,  an  Alteration  was  made,  in  the  Right  of 
Adventure  for  Land.  For  before  this,  every  one,  that  had 
adventured  his  own  Perfon,  or  had  fent,  or  brought  others 
over,  at  his  own  Expence,  was  entitled  to  an  hundred  A- 
cres  of  Land,  perfonal  Adventure,  for  each ;  which  was 
the  utmoft  that  could  be  granted  in  any  fingle  Share,  by 
the  King's  Letters  patent,  and  which  are  called,  in  the 
Company's  Journals,  and  other  old  Records,  Great  Shares, 
or  Shares  of  old  Adventure.  But  now  it  was  thought,  all 
Difficulties  were  fo  far  overcome,  and  the  Country  fettled 
in  fuch  a  Way  of  fubfifting  and  flourifhing,  that,  hence- 
forward, fifty  Acres  only  were  allowed  to  thofe,  who  came, 
or  brought  others  over.  This  is  the  ancient,  legal,  and  a 
moft  indubitable  Method  of  granting  Lands  in  Virginia^  and 
was  intended  for  a  great  and  ufeful  End,  the  encouraging 
People,  to  come  themfelves,  and  to  bring  or  fend  others 
over,  to  inhabit  the  Country  ;  and  that  they  might,  imme- 
diately upon  their  Arrival,  have  a  Place,  whereon  to  feat 
themfelves  and  Families.  And  I  likewife  find,  in  the  old 
Records,  that  upon  peopling  and  faving  thefe  hundred,  or 
fifty  Acres  (the  Terms  of  which  I  can  no  where  find)  they 
were  entitled  to  the  like  Quantity  more,  to  be  held,  and 
feated  at  their  Leifure.  But  befides  this,  there  were  two 
other  Alethods  of  granting  Lands.  The  one  was  upon  Me- 
rit :  When  any  Perfon  had  conferred  a  Benefit,  or  done 
Service,  to  the  Company  or  Colony,  they  would  beftow 
fuch  a  Proportion  of  Land  upon  him.  However,  to  pre- 
vent Excefs  in  this  Particular,  they  were  reftrained,  by  his 
Majefty's  Letters  patent,  not  to  exceed  twenty  great  Shares, 
or  two  thoufand  Acres,  in  any  of  thefe  Grants.      The  other 

was 


nor 


140  The   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1616.  was  called  the  Adventure  of  the  Purfe  ;  every  Perfon,  who 
^— — v— -'paid  twelve  Pounds  ten  Shillings  into  the  Company's  Trea- 
Geo.Yeard-(yj^^y^  having  thereby  a  Title  to  an  hundred  Acres  of  Land, 
^or  °^^^'  ^"y  w^i^r^  iri  Virginia^  that  had  not  been  before  granted  to, 
or  poflefTed  by  others. 

Sir  Thomas  Dale^  among  the  many  Praifes,  juftly  due 
to  his  Adminiftration,  had  been  particularly  careful  of  the 
Supplies  of  Life  ;  and  had,  accordingly,  always  caufed  fo 
much  Corn  to  be  planted,  that  the  Colony  lived  in  great 
Plenty  and  Abundance.  Nay,  whereas  they  had  formerly 
been  conftrained,  to  buy  Corn  of  the  Indians  Yearlv,  which 
expofed  them  to  much  Scorn  and  Difficulty,  the  Cafe  was 
fo  much  altered  under  his  Management,  that  the  Indians 
fometimes  applied  to  the  Englijh^  and  would  fell  the  very 
Skins  from  their  Shoulders  for  Corn.  And  to  fome  of  their 
petty  Kings,  Sir  Thomas  lent  four  or  five  hundred  Bufhels  ; 
for  Repayment  whereof  the  next  Year,  he  took  a  Mort- 
gage of  their  whole  Countries.  But  as  the  Cultivation  of 
Tobacco  began  to  creep  in,  and  to  obftru(5l  their  Crops  of 
Corn,  he  made  a  Law,  that  no  Tobacco  fhould  be  fet, 
'till  fuch  a  Proportion  of  Corn-Ground,  for  the  Mafter  and 
each  Servant,  had  been  firft  prepared  and  planted.  And 
this  was  the  firft  Beginning  and  Efl'ay,  towards  making 
Tobacco  here,  which  hath  ever  fince  continued  the  Staple- 
Commodity  of  our  Country.  But  after  his  Departure,  both 
his  Law  and  his  Example  were  utterly  laid  by  and  forgot ; 
and  the  new  Governor  himfelf,  together  with  all  the  Peo- 
ple, being  tempted  with  the  View  of  prefent  Gain,  applied 
themfelves  fo  eagerly  to  planting  Tobacco,  that  they  neg- 
leiled  the  other  neceflary  Article  of  Life.  And  befides  this 
Negle6l  of  their  Corn,  the  Supplies  of  People,  fent  this 
Year,  came,  as  ufual,  fo  unprovided,  that  they  foon  eafed 
them  of  the  Plenty,  left  by  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  and  reduced 
them  to  great  Streights.  Mr.  Yeardley  therefore,  fent  to 
the  Chickahominies^  for  the  Tribute  Corn.  For  there  being 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty,  or  three  hundred,  fighting 
Men  of  the  Nation,  and  each  Man  being  obliged,  by  the 
Treaty,  to  bring  two  Bufhels  of  Corn  to  the  Store,  fuch  a 
Quantity  would  have  been  a  great  Relief  to  their  Neceffities. 
But  receiving  a  flight  and  afFrontive  Anfwer,  he  drew  to- 
gether an  hundred  of  his  beft  Shot,  and  went  to  Chicka- 
hominy. 

The  People  there  received  him  with  much  Scorn  and 
Contempt.  They  told  him,  he  was  only  Sir  Thomas  Dale^s 
Man  ;  that  they  had  indeed  paid  his  Mafter,  according  to 
Agreement ;  but  as  for  him,  they  had  no  Order,  and  lefs 
Inclination,  either  to  obey,   or  give  him  any  Corn.     And 

being 


Book.III.    rbe    History    0/  VIRGINIA.  141 

being  led  by  their  Captain,   Kijfanacomen^  Governor  of  O-      1^16. 

zinies^  they  drew  themfelves  up,  in   martial   Rank  and   Or-"^ y ' 

der,  as  they  faw  the  Engl'ijh  do.  But  after  many  Remon- ^"•^'■'''■''' 
ftrances,  and  much  Bravade  and  Threatening  on  both  Sides,  ^gj 
Mr.  Yeardley^  at  laft,  commanded  his  Men  to  fire  upon 
them.  Twelve  were  flain,  and  as  many  taken  Prifoners  ; 
among  whom,  were  two  of  their  Senators,  or  Elders.  For 
their  Ranfom,  they  had  an  hundred  Bufhels  ;  and  the  In- 
dians^ to  buy  their  Peace,  readily  loaded  their  three  Boats 
with  Corn  ;  one  of  which,  crowding  on,  to  bring  the  firft 
News  to  'James-Town^  was  unhappily  overfet,  all  her  Corn 
loft,  and  eleven  Men  drowned. 

Opechancanough^  a  politick  and  haughty  Prince,  was  much 
vexed,  that  neither  his  Brother,  nor  he,  could  ever  bring 
this  obftinate  People,  firmly  to  their  Obedience.  Being, 
therefore,  as  attentive  to  enflave  them,  as  they  were  watch- 
ful and  tenacious  of  their  Liberty,  he  took  this  Opportunity, 
and  agreed  with  Mr.  Teardley^  to  come  to  no  Terms  with 
them,  without  his  Advice  and  Confent.  And  as  the  En- 
gl'ijh pafl'ed  down  the  River  with  their  Prifoners,  he  met 
them  at  0-zinies^  and  pretended  to  the  Indians^  that  he  had, 
with  great  Pains  and  Sollicitation,  procured  their  Peace. 
To  requite  which  Service,  they  chearfully  proclaimed  him 
King  of  their  Nation,  and  flocked,  from  all  Parts,  with 
Prefents  of  Beads,  Copper,  and  fuch  other  Trifles,  as  were 
in  Value  and  Efteem  among  them.  And  he  was  glad  to 
be  content  with  this  precarious  Acknowledgment,  from  a 
free  and  refolute  People.  But  this  feafonable  and  vigorous 
Chaftifement  of  the  Chickahominies^  and  efpecially  the  ftri6l 
League  and  Friendfliip,  with  Opechancanough^  and  the  whole 
Imperial  Family,  kept  the  reft  of  the  Indians  in  fuch  Awe 
and  Dependance,  that  the  Englijh  followed  their  Labours, 
with  the  utmoft  Quietnefs  and  Security.  Many  alfo  of 
the  Savages  daily  brought  them  fuch  Provifions,  as  they 
could  get ;  and  would  be  their  Guides  in  hunting,  and  fome- 
times  hunt  for  them  themfelves.  And  thus,  by  fuch  an  In- 
tercourfe  and  Familiarity,  the  Englijh  and  they  lived  together, 
the  reft  of  this  Gentleman's  Government,  as  if  they  had 
been  one  People.  And  Captain  Smith  tells  us,  that  Mr. 
Yeardley  had  fome  trained  to  their  Pieces  to  kill  him  Fowl, 
as  had  likewife  feveral  other  Gentlemen  in  the  Country  ; 
and  that  thefe  foon  became  as  dextrous  and  expert,  as  any 
of  the  Englijh.  But  the  Captain's  Authority  is  rendered 
very  fufpicious  in  this,  by  the  Records  of  our  General 
Court.  For  long  after,  the  Governor  and  Council  received 
fome  Queries  from  England^  the  fourth  whereof  was  : 
What  was  the  Caufe  of  the  Majfacre^  and  who  Jirji  taught 

the 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  III. 

the  Indians  the  Ufe  of  Fire  Arms  ?  Whereupon,  in  a  Court 
held  the  ift  of  November^  1624,  Robert  Poole  and  Edward 
Grindon^  Gentlemen,  ancient  Planters  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  Country,  appear,  and  declare,  upon  Oath,  their  Know- 
ledge of  the  Matter.  Their  Depofitions  entirely  clear  Mr. 
Teardley^  and  fhew  him  to  have  been  very  cautious  and 
careful  in  that  Point  ;  and  they  throw  the  whole  Blame  up- 
on Captain  Sinith  himfelf,  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  and  fome  other 
inferior  Officers  and  private  Perfons. 

In  the  mean  while,  Pocahontas^  or  the  Lady  Rebecca^ 
as  they  now  affe6led  to  call  her,  was  kindly  received  in  En- 
gland. She  was,  by  this  time,  well  infl:ru6led  in  Chriftia- 
nity,  fpoke  good  and  intelligible  Englijh.,  and  was  become 
very  civil  and  ceremonious,  after  the  Englijh  Fafbion.  She 
was  likewife  delivered  of  a  Son,  of  which  fhe  was  extremely 
fond  ;  and  the  Treafurer  and  Company  gave  Order,  for 
the  handfome  Maintenance  of  both  her  and  her  Child. 
Befides  which,  her  Company  was  courted,  and  fhe  kindly 
treated,  by  many  Perfons  of  higbeft  Rank  and  Qiiality  in 
the  Nation.  There  hath  been  indeed  a  conftant  Tradition, 
that  the  King  became  jealous,  and  was  highly  offended  at 
Mr.  Rolfe^  for  marrying  a  Princefs.  That  anointed  Pedant, 
it  feems,  had  fo  high  an  Idea  of  the  fus  divinum^  and  in- 
defeafible  Right,  of  Powhatan^  that  he  held  it  a  great  Crime 
and  Mifdemeanor,  for  any  private  Gentleman  to  mingle 
with  his  Imperial  Blood.  And  he  might  perhaps  likewife 
think,  confiflently  with  his  own  Principles,  that  the  Right 
to  thefe  Dominions  would,  thereby,  be  vefled  in  Mr.  Rolfe's 
Poflerity.  However,  it  pafTed  off,  without  any  farther  bad 
Confequence,  than  a  little  Difpleafure  and  Murmuring. 

At  the  time  of  Pocahontas's  Arrival,  Captain  S/nith  was 
preparing  for  a  Voyage  to  New-England.  He  was  much 
concerned,  that  the  Suddenefs  of  his  Departure  put  it  out 
of  his  Power,  to  do  her  that  Service,  which  he  defired,  and 
fhe  well  deferved  at  his  Hands.  However,  being  well  ac- 
quainted at  Court,  and  particularly  favoured  and  counte- 
nanced by  Prince  Charles.,  he  drew  up,  and  prefented  to  the 
Queen,  before  her  Arrival  in  London.,  a  Reprefentation  of 
her  Cafe  and  Defert.  In  this,  he  exprefTes  a  deep  Senfe  of 
Gratitude  to  her  ;  and  fets  forth  her  great  AfFeilion,  and 
many  Services,  to  himfelf,  and  the  whole  Englijh  Nation  : 
That  by  her,  their  Quarrels  had  oft  been  appeafed,  their 
Wants  fupplied,  and  their  Dangers  averted  :  That  fhe,  un- 
der God,  had  been  the  chief  Inftrument,  of  preferving  the 
Colony,  and  confirming  the  Settlement :  That  being  taken 
Prifoner,  fhe  had  become  the  Means  of  a  firm  Peace  and 
Alliance,  with  her  Father  :  That  fhe  was  now  married  to 

an 


Book  III.       Tbe    History    of   VIRGINIA.  143 

an   Englijh   Gentleman  ;    who,   however,   was    not    of  Abi-      1616. 

lity,  to  make  her  fit  to  attend  her  Majefty  •   That  fhe  was  ~ r-^— ' 

the  firft  Chriftian,  that  ever  was  of  that  Nation;  and  i^^Gio.Yeard- 
firft  Virginian^  that  ever  fpoke,  or  became  Englijh  :  That  ^^\ 
being  well  received,  and  honoured  by  fo  great  a  Queen, 
beyond  what  her  fimple  Thought  could  imagine  or  conceive, 
fhe  might  be  the  Means  of  adding  another  Kingdom,  to  his 
Majefty's  Dominions  :  But  bv  bad  Ufage,  her  prefent  Love, 
to  the  Englijh  and  Chriftianity,  might  be  turned  to  Scorn 
and  Fury  ;  and  all  the  Good,  fhe  had,  or  might  do,  divert- 
ed to  the  worfl  of  Evil.  And  therefore,  he  humbly  recom- 
mends her  to  her  Majefly,  as  a  proper  Obje6l  of  her  Favour 
and  Regard,  on  Account  of  her  Birth,  Virtue,  Simplicity, 
and  forlorn  Condition  in  a  ftrange  Country. 

But  before  Captain  Smith's  Departure,  Pocahontas  came 
up  to  London.  Being  offended  by  the  Smoke  of  the  Town, 
fhe  was  immediately  removed  to  Brentford ;  whither  Smith, 
with  feveral  of  his  Friends,  went  to  vifit  her.  After  a  cold 
and  modefl  Salutation,  fhe  turned  from  him  in  a  paflionate 
Manner,  hid  her  Face,  and  could  not  be  brought  to  fpeak 
a  Word  for  two  or  three  Hours.  But  at  laft,  fhe  began  to 
talk  ;  and  fhe  reminded  him,  of  the  many  Services,  fhe 
had  done  him,  and  of  the  flri6l  Promife  of  Friendfhip,  be- 
tween him  and  her  Father.  2o«,  fays  fhe,  promifed  him^ 
that  what  was  yours.,  Jhould  be  his  ;  and  that  you  and  he 
would  be  all  one.  Being  a  Stranger  in  our  Country.,  you  called 
Powhatan  Father ;  and  /,  for  the  fame  Reafon.,  will  now 
call  you  fo.  But  Captain  Smith.,  knowing  the  jealous  Hu- 
mour of  the  Court,  durfl  not  allow  of  that  Title,  as  fhe 
was  a  King's  Daughter  ;  and  therefore,  he  endeavoured  to 
excufe  himfelf  from  it.  But  fhe,  with  a  ftern  and  fleady 
Countenance,  faid  :  Tou  were  not  afraid  to  come  into  my  Fa- 
ther's Country.,  and  ftrike  a  Fear  into  every  Body.,  but  myfelf; 
and  are  you  here  afraid.,  to  let  me  call  you  Father  ?  I  tell  you 
then.,  I  will  call  you  Father.,  and  you  Jhall  call  me  Child ;  and 
fo  I  will  for  ever  be  of  your  Kindred  and  Country.  They 
always  told  us.,  that  you  were  dead ;  and  I  knew  no  otherwife., 
'till  I  came  to  FVimouth.  But  Powhztzn  commanded  Tomo- 
como  to  feekyou  out.,  and  know  the  Truth  ;  becaufe  your  Coun- 
trymen are  much  given  to  Lying. 

This  Tomocomo  (or  Uttamaccomack.,  as  Smith  calls  him) 
had  JlLatachanna.,  one  of  Powhatan's  Daughters,  to  Wife  ; 
was  one  of  the  chief  of  his  Council,  and  of  their  Priefls  ; 
and  was  efleemed  a  very  wife  and  underflanding  Fellow  a- 
mong  them.  He  was  therefore  fent  upon  this  Voyage,  by 
Powhatan.,  to  take  the  Number  of  the  People  in  England., 
and  to  bring  him  a  full  and  exa£l  Account,  of  their  Strength 

and 


144  "^^'^   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1616.  and  Condition.  And  accordingly,  being  arrived  at  Plimouth^ 
"^— ^>^ — ~^he  got  a  long  Stick,  intending  to  cut  a  Notch,  for  every 
Geo.Teard-  Q^^^  he  faw.  But  he  was  foon  tired  with  fuch  an  endlefs 
ey,^  over  ^^qj-j^^  ^^^  threw  awav  his  Stick  ;  and  being  afked,  by  the 
King,  after  his  Return,  how  many  People  there  were  ?  it 
is  faid,  that  he  replied :  Count  the  Stars  in  the  Sky^  the 
Leaves  on  the  Trees^  and  the  Sand  upon  the  Sea  Shore  \  for 
fuch  is  the  Number  of  the  People  in  England.  But  Sir  Tho- 
mas Dale  told  Mr.  Purchas^  that  he  believed  him  to  be  fent 
by  Opechancanough^  their  King  and  Governor  in  Powhatan\ 
Abfence  and  Retreat ;  and  that  he  was  fent,  not  fo  much 
to  number  the  People,  as  to  take  an  Account  of  their  Corn 
and  Trees.  For  Namontack^  and  fuch  others,  as  had  been 
fent  to  England  formerly,  being  ignorant  and  filly,  and 
having  feen  little  elfe  befides  London^  had  reported  much  of 
their  Men  and  Houfes,  but  thought,  they  had  fmall  Store 
of  Corn  and  Trees.  And  it  was  therefore  a  general  Opinion 
among  thefe  Barbarians,  that  the  Englijh  came  into  their 
Country,  to  get  a  Supply  of  thefe  ;  which  might  be  ftrength- 
ened  and  confirmed,  by  their  fending  large  Quantities  of 
Cedar,  Clapboard,  and  Wainfcot,  to  England^  and  by  their 
continual  Want  and  Eagernefs  after  Corn.  But  Tomocomo^ 
landing  in  the  TVe/i^  and  travelling  thence  to  London^  was 
foon  undeceived,  and  faw  great  Caufe,  to  admire  the  En- 
glijh Plenty.  However,  he  began  to  take  an  Account,  un- 
till  his  Arithmetick  failed  him.  Meeting  Captain  Smith  ac- 
cidentally in  London^  they  foon  renewed  their  old  Acquain- 
tance. He  told  the  Captain,  that  Potvhatan  had  commanded 
him,  to  find  him  out,  to  fhew  him  the  Englijh  God,  their 
King,  Queen,  and  Prince  ;  of  which  he  had  told  them  fo 
much.  As  to  God,  Captain  Stnith  excufed  and  explained 
the  Matter,  the  beft,  he  could  ;  and  as  to  the  King,  he 
told  him,  that  he  had  already  feen  him,  and  fhould  fee  the 
reft,  whenever  he  pleafed.  But  he  denied,  that  he  had  feen 
the  King,  'till,  by  Circumftances,  he  was  convinced  and 
fatisfied.  And  then,  with  a  melanchoUy  Countenance,  he 
faid :  Tou  gave  Powhatan  a  white  Dog^  which  he  fd  as  him- 
Jelf;  but  your  King  has  given  me  nothings  and  yet  I  am  bet- 
ter^ than  your  white  Dog.  Such  an  arch  Senfe  had  this 
Barbarian,  of  the  ftingy  Treatment,  with  which  he  had 
been  received  at  Court. 

However,  Pocahontas  was  eagerly  fought,  and  kindly 
entertained  every  where.  Many  Courtiers,  and  others  of 
his  Acquaintance,  daily  flocked  to  Captain  Sfnith^  to  be  in- 
troduced to  her.  They  generally  confefl'ed,  that  the  Hand 
of  God  did  vifibly  appear,  in  her  Converfion  ;  and  that  they 
had  feen  many  Englijh  Ladies,  worfe  favoured,  of  lefs  ex- 
ad 


Book  III.     rhe   History   of   VIRGINIA.  145 

a6l  Proportion,  and   genteel  Carriage,  than  fhe  was.     She     1616. 

was   likewife   carried  to   Court,  by  the   Lady  Delawarr^  at-^^ v^— ^ 

tended  by  the  Lord,  her  Hufband,  and  divers  other  Perfons  p"-^'^'"'''" 
of  P'afliion  and  Diftinftion.  The  whole  Court  were  charm- j^^^ 
ed  and  furprifed,  at  the  Decency  and  Grace  of  her  Deport- 
ment ;  and  the  King  himfelf,  and  Queen,  were  pleafed, 
honourably  to  receive  and  efteem  her.  The  Lady  Dela- 
warr^  and  thofe  other  Perfons  of  Quality,  alfo  waited  on 
her,  to  the  Mafks,  Balls,  Plays,  and  other  publick  Enter- 
tainments ;  with  which  (he  was  wonderfully  pleafed  and  de- 
lighted. And  {he  would,  doubtlefs,  have  well  deferved,  and 
fully  returned,  all  this  Refped:  and  Kindnefs,  had  fhe  lived 
to  arrive  in  Virginia. 

The  Lord  Rich  was  one  of  the  Company  in  England \ 
a  great  and  powerful,  but  a  moft  defigning,  interefted, 
and  fa6lious  Member.  Not  content  with  that  lawful  and 
regular  Advantage,  which  might  be  juftly  expe6ted,  in  a 
due  Courfe  of  Time,  from  the  Enterprife,  but  aiming  at  a 
fudden  and  extraordinary  Profit,  altho'  it  fhould  be,  by  the 
Spoil  of  the  Publick,  and  Oppreffion  of  the  private  Plan- 
ters, and  being  likewife  egged  on  and  aflifted,  by  fome  cor- 
rupt and  avaritious  Perfons,  he  threw  himfelf  at  the  Head 
of  a  Faction  in  the  Company,  and  drew  over  to  his  Party, 
as  many  Creatures  and  Dependents,  as  he  poilibly  could. 
By  their  Means  and  Support,  he  hoped  and  endeavoured, 
to  bear  fuch  a  Sway,  both  in  the  Virginia  and  Somer-Ijlands 
Company,  that  the  Management  of  all  things  at  home,  and 
the  Placing  all  Governors  abroad,  fhould  be  entirely  in  his 
Power  and  Difpofal.  And  altho'  he  met  with  a  Check  in 
his  Defigns,  from  many  great  and  worthy  Members,  and 
a  vaft  Majority  of  the  whole  Companies,  yet  he  did,  at 
this  time,  carry  a  very  important  Point.  Captain  Samuel 
Argall^  a  Friend  and  Relation  of  Sir  Thomas  Smith.,  the 
Treafurer,  was  one  of  Lord  Rich's  fafteft  Friends  and  Fa- 
vourites. His  Lordfhip  therefore,  having  concerted  Mat- 
ters with  him,  and  entered  into  a  Partnerfhip,  procured  him 
to  be  ele6led  Deputy-Governor  of  Virginia.  And  altho' 
Martial  Law  was  then  the  Common  Law  of  the  Country, 
yet  the  better  to  arm  and  ftrengthen  him,  with  the  Exer- 
cife  of  fuch  a  defpotic  Authority,  and  that  no  Man  here 
might  dare  to  open  his  Mouth  againft  him,  he  obtained  for 
him  the  Place  of  Admiral  of  the  Country  and  Seas  adjoin- 
ing. 

With   thefe   Views   and   Powers,   was   Captain   Jrgall     1617. 

fitted  out,  and  fent  to  Virginia.,  in  the  Beginning  of  16 17.  ^— ^^ ' 

And  the  Treafurer  and  Council  took  Care,  for  the  proper  Sam.  Jrgall, 
Accommodation  of  Pocahontas  and  her  Hufband,  on  board  Governor. 
21  L  the 


146  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1617-      the  Admiral  Ship.      Mr.  Rolfe  was  alfo  made  Secretary  and 

"^ -i ^  Recorder-General  of  Virginia^  which  Place  was  now  firft 

^'"•^'^"''''inftituted.  But  it  pleafed  God,  at  Grave/end^  to  take  Po- 
cahontas  to  his  Mercy,  in  about  the  two  and  twentieth  Year 
of  her  Age.  Her  unexpected  Death  caufed  not  more  Sor- 
row and  Concern  in  the  Spectators,  than  her  religious  End 
gave  them  Joy  and  Surprife.  For  fhe  died,  agreeably  to 
her  Life,  a  moft  fmcere  and  pious  Chriitian.  Her  little  Son, 
Thomas  Rolfe^  was  left  at  Plimouth  with  Sir  Lewis  Steukley^ 
who  defired  the  Care  and  Education  of  him.  This  Gen- 
tleman was  then  Vice-Admiral  of  the  County  of  Devon  ; 
but  foon  after,  having  feifed  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  and  been 
guilty  of  a  notable  Piece  of  Treachery  towards  him,  he 
drew  upon  himfelf  the  publick  Scorn  and  Deteftation.  Tor 
however  hard  or  unjuft  Kings  and  Statesmen  may  be  to 
thofe  Perfons  of  their  Age,  who  are  of  the  moft  eminent 
Parts  and  Virtues,  the  Publick  is  generally  more  candid  in 
it's  Judgments,  and  apt  to  refent  every  Hardfhip  or  ill  Ufage 
to  fuch  Men.  Sir  Lewis  Steukley  therefore  fell  unpitied, 
when  he  was  afterwards  detected  in  corrupt  PraClices  ;  for 
which  he  was  obliged  to  purchafe  his  Life  at  the  Expence 
of  his  whole  Fortune,  and  at  laft  died,  a  poor,  defpifed, 
and  diftraCted  Beggar.  And  as  thefe  Misfortunes  happened 
foon  after  this  Time,  it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed,  that  young 
Mr.  Rolfe  long  enjoyed  the  Advantage  of  his  Favour  and 
kind  Intentions.  However  he  was  carried  up  to  London^ 
and  there  educated  by  his  Uncle  Mr.  Henry  Rolfe^  and  after- 
wards became  a  Perfon  of  Fortune  and  DiftinCtion  in  this 
Country.  He  left  behind  him  an  only  Daughter,  who  was 
married  to  Col.  Robert  Boiling  ;  by  whom  fhe  left  an  only 
Son,  the  late  Major  yohn  Boilings  who  was  Father  to  the 
prefent  Col.  John  Boilings  and  feveral  Daughters,  married 
to  Col.  Richard  Randolph^  Col.  John  Flemings  Dr.  William 
Gay^  Mr.  Thomas  Eldridge^  and  Mr.  James  Murray.  So 
that  this  Remnant  of  the  Imperial  Family  of  Virginia^  which 
long  ran  in  a  fingle  Perfon,  is  now  encreafed  and  branched 
out  into  a  very  numerous  Progeny. 

But  Governor  Argall^  with  his  Vice-Admiral  Captain 
Ralph  Hamer^  purfued  their  Voyage  to  Virginia^  where 
they  arrived  in  May.  He  found  all  the  publickWorks  and 
Buildings  in  James-Town  fallen  to  Decay;  not  above  five 
or  fix  private  Houfes  fit  to  be  inhabited  ;  the  Market-place, 
Streets,  and  all  other  fpare  Places,  planted  with  Tobacco  ; 
and  the  Colony  difperfed  all  about,  as  every  Man  could 
find  the  propereft  Place,  and  beft  Conveniency,  for  Plant- 
ing. But  foon  after  his  Arrival,  he  wrote  to  England.,  that 
the  Colony  was  in  great  Peace  and  Plenty,  and  the  People 

bufily 


Book  III.     T'he   History   of  VIRGINIA.  147 

bufily  employed,  in  preparing  for  their  Crops  of  Corn  and      ^617. 

Tobacco.     With  him  returned   Tomocomo^  who,  in  our  old '"" — v ' 

Records,  is  called  by  a  third  Name,  Tomakin.  Captain  Sam.Argall 
Argall  fent  him  immediately  to  Opechancanough^  who  came  °^^''"°''- 
to  'James-Town^  and  received  a  Prefent,  with  great  Joy 
and  Thankfulnefs.  Tomocomo  railed  violently  againft  En- 
gland^ and  the  Englijh  \  and  particularly,  againft  his  beft 
Friend,  Sir  Thomas  Dale.  But  all  his  Reports  were  fo 
clearly  difproved  before  Opechancanough  and  his  Grandees, 
that  much  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Grandees,  he  was  re- 
je6led  and  difgraced.  But  Powhatan.,  all  this  while,  leaving 
the  Care  and  Charge  of  the  Government  chiefly  to  Opechan- 
canough., went  about  from  Place  to  Place,  taking  his  Plea- 
fure,  and  vifiting  the  different  Parts  of  his  Dominions. 
However  he  ftill  continued  in  good  Friendfhip  with  the  En- 
glijh. He  greatly  lamented  the  Death  of  his  Daughter ; 
but  rejoiced,  that  her  Child  was  living.  He  alfo,  as  well 
as  Opechancanough.,  expreffed  much  Defire  to  fee  him  ;  but 
determined,  that  he  ought  not  to  come  over,  before  he  was 
ftronger.  And,  this  Year,  one  Mr.  Lambert  made  a  great 
Difcovery,  in  the  Trade  of  Planting.  For  the  Method  of 
curing  Tobacco  then  was  in  Heaps,  But  this  Gentleman 
found  out,  that  it  cured  better  upon  Lines  ;  and  therefore 
the  Governor  wrote  to  the  Company,  to  fend  over  Line  for 
that  Purpofe. 

Captain  Argall  was  a  Man  of  Senfe  and  Induftry  ;  1618. 
and  therefore,  to  fecure  a  Plenty  of  Provifions,  he  fent  out, 
the  next  Year,  a  Frigat  and  a  fmall  Bark  to  trade,  which 
brought  near  fix  hundred  Bufhels  of  Corn,  to  the  great 
Relief  of  the  Colony.  For  the  Company's  Servants,  that 
worked  for  the  Store,  were  reduced  to  fifty  four.  Men, 
Women,  and  Children.  But  from  the  Farmers,  who  were 
at  Captain  JrgaWs  Arrival  eighty  one,  and  from  the  In- 
dians., as  Tribute,  they  received  annually  above  twelve 
hundred  Bufhels.  But  this  Year,  there  was  a  great 
Drought,  with  a  dreadful  Storm,  that  poured  down  Hail- 
ftones,  eight  or  nine  Inches  round,  which  did  much  Da- 
mage to  both  Corn  and  Tobacco.  However,  what  To- 
bacco could  be  faved,  was  made  up,  the  beft  at  three  Shil- 
lings a  Pound,  and  the  reft  at  eighteen  Pence.  The  Go- 
vernor alfo  publifhed  feveral  Edi61:s  :  That  all  Goods  (hould 
be  fold  at  twenty  five  per  Cent.,  and  Tobacco  allowed  for 
at  three  Shillings  a  Pound,  and  not  under  nor  over,  on  the 
Penalty  of  three  Years  Slavery  to  the  Colony  :  That  there 
ftiould  be  no  private  Trade  or  Familiarity  with  the  Savages  : 
That  no  Indian  fhould  be  taught  to  fhoot  with  Guns,  on 
Pain  of  Death  to  Teacher  and  Learner  :  That  no  Perfon 

L  2  fhould 


148  "The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1618.     fhould  hunt  Deer  or  Hogs,  without  the  Governor's  Leave  : 
^'-'-Y-"-^  That  all  Hogs,  found  a  fecond  time  in  'James-Town^  fhould 
&am.ArgaU\^Q  forfeited  to  the  Colony;  and  thofe  at  Bermuda^  ringed: 
overnor.  'pj^^j  j^^   Man  fhould  fhoot,   except  in   his  ovi^n  neceflary 
Defence  againft  an  Enemy,  till  a  new  Supply  of  Ammuni- 
tion  came  in,   on   Pain   of  a   Year's   Slavery  :    That  none 
fhould  go  on  board  the  Ship,  then  at  James-Town^  without 
the  Governor's  Leave  ;  and  that  no  Maft:ers  of  Ships  fhould 
fufFer  their  Sailers  to  go  afhore,  or  talk  with  the  People  at 
Kicquotan :  That  every  Perfon  fhould  go  to  Church,  Sun- 
days and   Holidays,  or  lye  Neck  and  Heels  that  Night,  and 
be  a  Slave  to  the  Colony  the  following  Week  ;  for  the  fe- 
cond  Offence,  he  fhould  be  a  Slave  for  a  Month  ;  and  for 
the  third,  a  Year  and  a  Day. 

The  Lord  Delawarr^  who  had  withdrawn  from  the 
Government  on  Account  of  his  Health,  and  whofe  Com- 
miflion,  as  Captain-General,  was  fupreme,  and  fuperfeded 
all  others,  being  ardently  wifhed  for  by  the  Colony,  was 
now  fent  by  the  Council  and  Company,  in  a  large  Ship, 
with  a  Supply  of  two  hundred  People.  But  meeting  with 
contrary  Winds  and  much  bad  Weather,  many  fell  fick, 
and  thirty  died.  In  this  Number  was  the  Right  Honoura- 
ble, the  Lord  Governor  himfelf ;  a  Perfon  of  a  mofl  noble 
and  generous  Difpofition,  who  had  warmly  embarked,  and 
expended  much  Money,  in  this  Bufinefs,  for  his  Country's 
Good.  Camhden  tells  us,  that  he  had  been  feafled  at  the 
WeJiern-IJlands^  and  that  his  Death  was  not  without  fufpi- 
cion  of  Poifon.  And  I  think  I  have  fomewhere  feen,  that 
he  died  about  the  Mouth  of  Delaivarr  Bay,  which  thence 
took  it's  Name  from  him.  But  being  not  able,  now  to  re- 
colled  the  Authority,  I  fhall  leave  it,  as  I  found  it,  and 
not  venture  pofitively  to  affirm  it.  After  his  Death,  they 
were  forced  on  the  Coafl  of  New-England  \  where  they 
got  a  Recruit  of  Wood  and  Water,  and  took  fuch  an  A- 
bundance  of  Fifh  and  Fowl,  as  plentifully  ferved  them  to 
Virginia.  They  likewife  here  met  a  fmall  French?nan^  rich 
in  Bever  and  other  Furrs,  who  feafled  them  with  fo  great 
a  Variety  of  Fifli,  Fowl,  and  fVuits,  that  they  were  all 
amazed ;  little  fufpeiting,  that  wild  Defert  could  afford 
fuch  a  wonderful  Plenty  of  delicate  and  wholefome  Food. 
This  Ship  bringing  News,  that  Multitudes  were  preparing 
in  England  to  be  fent.  Captain  Argall  called  a  Council, 
and  wrote  to  the  Treafurer  and  Council  in  England  the 
State  of  the  Colony  ;  and  what  Mifery  muff  neceflarily  en- 
fue,  if  they  fent  not  Provifions,  as  well  as  People.  And 
he  likewife  reprefented  their  Want  of  fkilful  Hufbandmen, 
with  Shares,  Harnefs,  and  other  Implements  for  Ploughing. 

For 


Book  III.    T/:>^   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

For   their   Land  was  exceeding  good,  and  they   had   now 
about  forty  Bulls   and   Oxen,  which   were  wholly   idle  and 
ufelefs,  for  want  of  fkilful  Men  to  bring  them  to  Labour.  ^"m.Argall 
However,  I    find,  in  our  old  Records,  that  fome  Ploughs,  ^°^"""'^- 
by  this  time,  were  fet  to  work. 

One  Richard  Killingheck^  this  Summer,  attempting  a 
fecret  Trade  with  the  Indians^  was,  together  with  his  whole 
Company,  flain  by  a  Party  of  the  Chickahominies  ;  who 
fearing  the  Confequences,  robbed  the  Matchacomoco  Houfe 
of  their  Town,  and  fled.  This  was  their  Temple  and  re- 
ligious Treafury  ;  held,  to  the  higheft  Degree,  facred  and 
inviolable  by  the  Indians.  And  the  Sunday  after,  they  flew 
two  Boys  and  three  young  Children,  within  a  Mile  of 
yames-'Town^  while  their  Parents  were  at  Church.  The 
Governor  therefore  fent  to  Opechancanough^  who  had  the 
Title  of  their  King,  and  the  Power  too,  as  far  as  NecefRty 
conftrained,  or  it  fuited  with  their  Humour  or  Intereft.  But 
he  excufed  the  Nation  from  the  Guilt,  and  laid  the  whole 
Blame  upon  fome  fugitive  Robbers  ;  of  whofe  Town  he 
fent  him  a,  Bafket  of  Earth,  as  Pofl'eflion  given  ;  and  pro- 
mifed,  to  Tend  their  Heads  alfo  for  Satisfa6lion,  as  foon 
as  they  could  poflibly  catch  them.  But  this  he  never  per- 
formed ;  and  confidering  the  Perfidy  of  his  Nature,  and 
the  exterminating  Hatred,  he  always  bore  to  the  Englijh^  it 
is  much  to  be  queftioned,  whether  he  was  not  privy  to,  or 
perhaps  the  chief  Author  and  Contriver  of  the  whole  Mat- 
ter. However,  by  thefe  A6ts  of  Hoftility  and  Barbarity, 
the  whole  Nation  was  rendered  obnoxious  to  the  Englijh 
Power  and  Refentment,  and  his  Regal  Authority  thereby 
firmly  riveted  and  eftablifhed  among  them.  Altho'  the  Go- 
vernor, being  fatisfied  with  this  Pretence  and  Excufe,  never 
farther  profecuted,  or  revenged,  this  perfidious  Murder  and 
Breach  of  the  Peace. 

Captain  Argall^  all  this  time,  was  not  negligent  or 
forgetful  of  the  grand  End  of  his  coming  to  Virginia^  but 
puflied  on  his  unrighteous  Gains,  by  all  imaginable  Methods 
of  Extortion  and  Oppreflion.  For  befides  a  Multitude  of 
private  Wrongs  to  particular  Perfons,  he  converted  in  a 
manner  wholly  to  his  own  Ufe  and  Pofleflion,  whatfoever 
remained,  at  that  time,  belonging  to  the  Publick,  being 
the  Fruits  and  Reli6ls  of  eighty  thoufand  Pounds  Expence. 
So  that  he  was  loudly  charged,  with  many  Offences  in  Mat- 
ter of  State  and  Government,  with  Depredation  and  Wafte 
of  the  publick  Eftate  and  Revenues  of  the  Company,  and 
with  great  Oppreflion  of  the  Colony  in  general,  as  well  as 
feveral  private  Men  in  particular.  And  the  Cries  of  his 
Outrages  and  Rapine  at  laft  became  fo  loud  and  numerous, 

and 


150  "fhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

1618.     and  the  Company  in  England  was  fo  enraged  at  the  Reports 

■ r — —  and  Informations,  they  received,  that  they  could  fcarce  be 

Sam.Argall  ^Q^^^^j^^^  from  flv'ing  to  the  King,  for  the  Redrefs  of  fo 
many  and  fo  great  Mifchiefs.  But  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  whe- 
ther in  Favour  to  Captain  Argall^  his  Kinfman,  or  out  of 
his  real  Judgment,  alledged,  that  imploring  his  Majefty's 
Aid  might  prove  prejudicial  to  the  Company's  Power,  and 
of  dangerous  Confequence  to  their  Liberties  ;  and  might 
alfo  give  Room  to  much  publick  Scandal  and  Reflexion. 
And  therefore  he  propofed  a  milder  and  lefs  clamorous  Way 
of  Proceeding. 

To  this  End,  he  himfelf.  Alderman  Johnfon^  the  De- 
puty-Treafurer,  Sir  Lionel  Cranfield^  and  others  of  the 
Council,  wrote  Captain  Argall  a  Letter,  dated  the  23d  of 
Augujl^  1618;  charging  him,  in  very  fharp  and  fevere 
Terms,  with  many  Crimes  and  Mifdemeanors :  That  he 
was  exceedingly  chargeable  to  the  Company,  and  converted 
the  P'ruits  of  their  Expence  to  his  own  private  Ufe  :  That 
he  was  grown  fo  proud  and  infolent,  as  to  fcorn  the  Title 
of  Deputy-Governor,  declaring,  that  he  would  be  no  Man's 
Deputy  :  That  he  wronged  the  Magazine,  by  his  Negli- 
gence and  Connivency  :  That  he  had  appropriated  the  In- 
dian Trade  to  himfelf;  ufing  the  Company's  Frigat  and 
other  Veffels,  together  with  their  Men,  to  trade  for  his 
own  Benefit,  and  prohibiting  the  Trade  of  Skins  and  Furs 
to  all  others  :  That  he  took  the  old  Planters,  who  ought  to 
be  free,  as  well  as  the  Company's  Tenants  and  Servants, 
and  fet  them  upon  his  own  Employments:  That  he  expen- 
ded the  publick  Store-Corn,  to  feed  his  own  Men  :  That 
he  had,  for  fome  private  End  and  Purpofe  of  his  own,  in- 
formed the  Company,  that  Opechancanough  and  the  Natives 
intended  to  give  their  Country  to  Mr.  Rolfe's  Child,  and 
to  referve  it  from  all  others,  'till  he  came  of  Age  :  That 
he  neither  looked  into,  nor  regarded,  their  Inftruftions  ; 
but  had,  under  Pretence  of  their  Commillion,  difpofed  of 
all  the  Company's  Cattle,  againft  their  Exprefs  Orders  and 
Directions,  and  had  converted  the  Profits  thereof  to  his  own 
Ufe  :  That  he  had,  under  Colour  of  his  Right,  as  Admiral, 
feifed  and  detained  fome  Hides,  unlawfully  taken  or  pur- 
chafed,  for  which  the  Company  had  compounded,  with  the 
Lord  High  Admiral  and  the  Spanijh  Ambaffador,  at  the 
great  Expence  of  four  hundred  Pounds  :  And  in  (hort,  that 
all  his  A6tions  and  Proceedings  feemed  to  be,  as  if  the  Co- 
lony was  wholly  intended  for  his  private  Gain  and  Advan- 
tage, and  as  if  he  was  fo  great,  and  they  fo  mean  and  in- 
fenfible  of  Reafon,  as  to  let  things,  of  this  publick  and  no- 
torious Nature,  pafs  off  without  a  ftri6t  and  exa6l  Account ; 

up- 


Book  III.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  151 

upbraiding  him  alfo  with  thefe  ungrateful  Returns  to  their      ^^i^- 
Favour  and  Friendfhip,  in  procuring  him  the  Government.  ^^ — ■< ' 

At  the  fame  time,  they  wrote  a  Letter  to  my  Lord  ^'""•^''■S^''''' 
Delawarr^  whofe  Death  was  yet  unknown  in  England^ 
containing  the  Hlce  Heads  of  Complaint  and  Accufation  a- 
gainft  Captain  Argall\  and  informing  him,  that  by  the 
ftrange  Infolence  of  his  laft  Letter,  and  by  the  Informations 
of  fundry  Witnefles,  lately  come  from  Virginia^  there  was 
more  Difcontent  raifed  in  the  Adventurers,  and  more  Dan- 
ger feared  to  the  Colony,  than  had  ever  happened,  by  any 
other  thing,  fince  the  firft  Beginning  of  the  Enterprife.  So 
that  the  Adventurers  could  hardly  be  reftrained  from  going 
to  the  King,  altho'  far  ofF  on  a  Progrefs,  and  procuring  his 
Majefty's  Command,  to  fetch  him  home  as  a  Malefa6lor. 
But  to  avoid  farther  Scandal  to  their  Management  and  Ad- 
miniftration,  they  befeech  his  Lordfhip,  to  fend  him  forth- 
with to  England^  to  make  his  perfonal  Appearance,  and  to 
give  his  Anfwers  to  fuch  things,  as  fhould  be  laid  to  his 
Charge.  Ar\d  forafmuch  as  it  was  conceived,  that  there 
would  be  many  things,  for  which  he  muft  make  Satisfa6lion 
to  the  Company,  they  defired  his  Lordftiip,  to  feife  upon 
his  Tobacco,  Skins,  Furs,  and  other  Goods,  to  be  fent  to 
them  as  a  Depofite,  till  all  Matters  fhould  be  fatisfied  and 
adjufted  ;  and  that  he  would  likewife  return  the  Cattle,  and 
other  publick  Goods,  which  he  had  embezzled,  to  their 
proper  Places  and  Owners.  And  at  the  fame  time,  there 
was  an  Order  of  Court  pafled  in  Eyigland^  to  fequefter  all 
Captain  ArgaW%  EfFedis,  which  fhould  be  fent  home,  to 
make  Reftitution  to  the  Company  for  his  Rapines  and  Ex- 
tortions. 

These  Letters,  coming,  by  Lord  Delawarr\  Death, 
to  Captain  Argall's  Hands,  were  fo  far  from  diverting  or 
reprefling  his  Exhorbitances,  that  they  feemed,  only  to  put 
him  upon  his  Guard,  and  to  render  him  the  more  ea- 
ger and  fludious  to  make  the  beft  Ufe  of  his  Time.  For 
my  Lady  Delawarr  complained,  that  he  wrongfully  took 
fome  of  her  Goods  from  her  late  Hufband's  Servants,  with- 
out rendering  any  Account  of  them.  And  indeed  he  had, 
in  general,  aflumed  to  himfelf  a  Power,  of  ordering  and 
difpofing  of  his  Lordfhip's  Eflate,  fetting  his  Tenants  and 
Servants  to  his  own  Work,  and  thereby  ruining  and  depo- 
pulating a  very  large  and  hopeful  Plantation,  begun  by  his 
Lordfhip.  But  one  Captain  Edward  BrewJIer^  alledging 
Lord  Delawarr\  Order,  for  their  being  under  his  Manage- 
ment and  Dire6lion,  endeavoured  to  withdraw  them  from 
the  Governor's  Work,  and  to  employ  them,  for  the  Main- 
tenance of  themfelves,  and  for  the  Benefit  of  his  Lordfhip's 

Heirs, 


152  The    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

1618.  Heirs  and  f'ellow-Adventurers,  But  one  of  them  refufed 
to  obey  him,  which  drew  from  him  fome  threatening  Ex- 
prefTions  againft  the  Fellow.  This  he  immediately  ran  with 
to  the  Governor  ;  who  being  drunk  with  Power,  and  im- 
patient of  Oppofition,  (a  Diftemper,  very  incident  to  our 
American  Viceroys)  and  being  alfo  vexed  perhaps,  to  find 
any  one  dare  to  withftand  his  arbitrary  Schemes  of  Gain, 
he  caufed  Captain  Breiv/ier  to  be  feifed,  tried  by  a  Court 
Martial,  and  condemned  to  Death. 

The  Legality  of  this  Proceeding  was  founded  on  an  Ar- 
ticle of  the  Martial  Laws  of  the  Low  Countries,  intro- 
duced among  thofe  Articles,  fent  over  by  Sir  Thomas  Smith. 
This  decreed,  "  That  no  Man  fliould  offer  any  Violence, 
"  or  contemptuoufly  refift  or  difobey  his  Commander,  or 
"  do  any  A61,  or  fpeak  any  Words,  which  might  tend  to 
"  breed  Diforder  or  A4utiny,  in  the  Town  or  Field,  or 
"  difobey  any  principal  Officer's  Direftions,  upon  Pain  of 
"  Death."  But  altho'  it  was  evident  from  his  Majefty's 
Charter,  that  the  Governor  had  Power  to  execute  Martial 
Law  only  in  Times  of  Mutiny  and  Rebellion,  in  like  Man- 
ner as  Lords  Lieutenants  in  England  had,  and  that  in  all 
other  Cafes,  as  well  civil  as  criminal,  their  Proceedings 
were  to  be  as  agreeable,  as  conveniently  might  be,  to  the 
Laws,  Statutes,  Government,  and  Policy  of  the  Realm  of 
England;  and  altho'  it  was  as  evident,  that  there  was  at 
that  time  no  Pretence  of  Rebellion  or  Mutiny,  but  the  Co- 
lony enjoyed  an  univerfal  Peace  and  Tranquility ;  yet  was 
this  innocent  Gentleman's  Condemnation  moft  unmercifully 
driven  on,  and  his  Life  fubjedled  to  the  Pleafure  of  a  furi- 
ous and  enraged  Enemy.  And  this,  not  in  an  Affair  of 
publick  Concern,  but  in  a  Dispute  of  private  Right ;  and 
when  it  did  not  appear,  that  he  had  uttered  any  thing  a- 
gainft  the  Governor,  but  only  fome  threatening  Lan- 
guage againft  a  Servant,  that  difobeyed  his  lawful  Com- 
mands. And  the  whole  was  carried  on  and  tranfa6led,  un- 
der Colour  and  Pretence  of  a  Law,  which  could  have  no 
legal  Force  or  Validity  in  the  Britijh  Dominions.  Altho' 
it  muft  be  confeffed,  that  Martial  Law  was  then  the  reign- 
ing Law  of  Virginia^  to  the  great  Difcouragement  of  the 
Colony,  and  to  the  manifeft  Lifringement  of  the  Rights  and 
Liberties  of  the  People,  as  Britijh  Subje6ls.  And  this 
Courfe,  at  times  introduced  and  ufed  from  the  firft,  as  be- 
ing in  a  State  of  War  and  Danger,  was  firmly  riveted  and 
confirmed  by  thofe  bloody  Articles,  fent  in  by  Sir  Thomas 
Smithy  which  were  unfortunatelv,  at  their  firft  coming,  ap- 
plied to  a  good  Purpofe  and  Effe6l  by  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  in 
quelling  the  diforderly  and  mutinous  Humours  of  the  Peo- 
ple. 


Book.  III.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

pie.      And   thus,  by  this   Example  and   Authority,  and  by 
eafy  Acquiefcence  and  Ignorance  in  the  People  of  their  na- 
tive Rights  and  Privileges,  it  was   made  the   {landing  Rule '^'^"'•^''^''''^ 
of  Proceeding,  and  became  the  Common  Lau^  and  Cuftom    °^^''"°''- 
of  the  Country. 

But  fome  of  the  Court,  reflefling  on  the  extreme  Se- 
verity of  thefe  Martial  Laws,  and  being  alfo  moved  per- 
haps by  the  particular  Hardfhip  and  Unrighteoufnefs  of  the 
prefent  Cafe,  prevailed  on  the  reft,  to  go  in  a  Body,  and 
intercede  for  Captain  Brewjier''^  Life.  And  being  alfo  joined 
by  fuch  of  the  Clergy,  as  were  at  Hand,  they  did,  with 
much  Intreaty,  and  after  many  Repulfes  and  Allegations  of 
Captain  Argall^  at  laft  prevail  to  fave  his  Life.  But  it 
was  upon  this  exprefs  Condition,  that  he  fhould  take  a  fo- 
l^n  Oath,  neither  dire61:ly  nor  indiredlly,  in  England  or 
elfewhere,  to  utter  any  contemptuous  Words,  or  do  any 
thing  elfe,  that  fhould  turn  to  the  Diflionour  or  Difparage- 
ment  of  Captain -^rg-«//;  and  that  he  fhould  never  return 
more  to  Virginia^  by  any  dire6l  or  indire£l  Means.  All 
which  was  this  poor  Gentleman,  a  Perfon  of  fome  Figure 
and  Confideration,  obliged  to  fubmit  to,  to  refpite  and  put 
off  an  immediate  Execution.  But  after  his  Return  to 
England^  being  deeply  fenfible  of  this  oppreflive  and  in- 
jurious Treatment,  as  alfo  to  clear  his  Reputation,  and  to 
wipe  ofF  the  Stain  of  being  a  condemned  Man,  he  appealed 
from  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  Martial  in  Virginia^  to  the 
Treafurer  and  Company  in  England.  And  the  Profecution 
of  this  Appeal  did  greatly  contribute,  to  fhew  and  expofe 
the  extreme  Rapicioufnefs  and  tyrannical  Adminiftration  of 
Captain  Argall. 

A  Ship,  called  the  Treafurer^  was  alfo,  this  Year,  fent 
from  England  by  the  Lord  Rich.,  who  was  now  become 
Earl  of  Warwick.,  a  Perfon  of  great  Note  afterwards  in  the 
Civil  Wars,  and  commander  of  the  Fleet  againft  the  King. 
He  had  afpired  to  the  Title  of  Earl  of  Clare ;  but  that 
being  then  efteemed  the  fame  with  Clarence.,  and  a  Royal 
Title,  it  was  judged  too  high  an  Honour  for  a  Family  in  a 
Manner  new  and  upftart,  and  that  of  Warwick  conferred 
upon  him.  This  Ship  was  here  new  vi6lualled,  and  manned 
with  the  ftouteft  and  ableft  Recruits,  that  could  be  picked 
out  of  the  whole  Colony.  And  then,  under  Colour  of  an 
old  Commiflion  of  Hoftility  from  the  Duke  of  Savoy.,  againft 
the  Spaniards^  which  they  had  by  fome  Means  procured, 
fhe  was  fent  to  rove  on  the  Spani/h  Dominions  in  the  Wejl- 
Indies ;  where  fhe  committed  much  Ravage,  and  gained 
fome  Booty.  But  they  had  the  Confcience  even  to  defraud 
the  Mariners,  who  afterwards  made  Complaint  to  the 
22  Com- 


154  ^^^    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  III. 

1618.     Company,  that  they  had  cheated  them  of  their   Share  of 

^— — ■< 'the  Negroes  taken  ;  all  which  were  placed  on  the  Earl  of 

Sdm.Argall  JJ/'arw'ick'' %  Lands  in  Bermudas^  and  there  kept  and  detained 
to  his  Lordfhip's  Ufe.  And  this  Proceeding  was  efteemed, 
not  only  a  manifeft  A61  of  Piracy,  but  alfo  a  thing  of  great 
Danger  to  the  Colony,  confidering  our  weak  Condition  at 
that  time,  and  the  great  Strength  of  the  Spaniards  in  the 
Weji-Indles.  Mr.  Beverley  alfo  gives  a  particular  Account 
of  an  Expedition,  made  this  Year  by  Captain  Argall  in  Per- 
fon,  to  diflodge  the  French  at  St.  Croix  and  Port-Royal  in 
Acadia.  But  as  I  cannot  find  the  leaft  Mention  of  it,  in 
any  contemporary  Writer,  or  in  any  of  the  old  Records, 
that  I  have  perufed  and  examined,  I  am  apt  to  think,  he  is 
miftaken  in  the  Time,  and  confounds  this  with  the  Expedi- 
tion, he  made  under  Sir  Thotnas  Dale^  in  the  Year  16 14. 

But  the  Company  in  England^  receiving  Advice  of 
Lord  Delaivarr's  Death,  and  finding,  that  Sir  Thomas 
Sfnith's  Proje6l  had  thereby  failed  of  Succefs,  came  to  a 
Refolution  of  fending  over  a  new  Governor,  with  Power 
to  examine  all  Complaints  and  Accufations  againft  Captain 
Argall  upon  the  Spot.  And  therefore  Captain  Teardley., 
who  was  upon  this  Occafion  knighted,  was  chofen  Go- 
vernor and  Captain-General,  and  fent  upon  this  Bufinefs. 
But  Captain  Argall.^  in  the  mean  while,  was  fully  apprifed, 
by  the  Earl  of  Warwick  and  others,  his  Affociates  in  En- 
gland., of  every  thing,  that  had  palTed  in  their  Courts  con- 
cerning himfelf.  Wherefore,  to  prevent  the  Seifure  of  his 
Goods,  he  configned  all  his  EfFe6ts,  under  other  Men's 
Names,  and  into  the  Hands  of  great  and  powerful  Perfons. 
And  as  to  thofe  Goods,  which  were  fent  home,  before  he 
knew  of  the  Order  to  fequefter  them,  the  Earl  of  Warwick., 
by  his  Intriguing  and  Intereft,  got  them  all  into  his  own 
Hands,  under  Pretence  of  taking  out  the  Share,  which  be- 
longed to  him  by  his  Right  of  Partnerfhip,  and  upon  ex- 
press Promife,  to  return  the  reft  into  the  Company's 
Hands.  But  this  Promife  he  could  never  be  brought  to  per- 
form ;  fo  that  the  Company  were  deprived  of  the  Means  to 
right  themfelves,  and  defrauded  of  that  juft  Reftitution, 
which  they  had  great  Reafon  to  expe(£l  and  demand. 

This  Year  161 8  is  likewife  memorable,  for  the  Death 
of  two  Perfons  of  principal  Figure  in  the  Virginian  Hiftory. 
The  firft  of  thefe  was  Powhatan.,  Emperor  of  the  Indians., 
a  Prince  of  excellent  Senfe  and  Parts,  and  a  great  Mafter 
of  all  the  Savage  Arts  of  Government  and  Policy.  He 
was  penetrating,  crafty,  infidious,  and  cruel ;  and  as  hard 
to  be  deceived  by  others,  as  to  be  avoided  in  his  own  Stra- 
tegems  and  Snares.      But  as  to  the  great  and  moral  Arts  of 

Policy, 


Book  III.     T:kc   History   ^/VIRGINIA.  155 

Policy,  fuch  as  Truth,  Faith,  Uprightnefs,  and  Magnani-  161S. 
mity,  they  feem  to  have  been  but  little  heeded  or  regarded  ^— — v- — 
by  him.  He  was  fucceeded  in  his  Dominions,  according  to  Sam.Argall 
the  regular  Order  of  Succeffion,  by  his  fecond  Brother,  °^""°''- 
Qpitchapan  ;  who  is  fometimes  called  Itopatin^  and  Oeatan. 
And  now  upon  his  Acceffion  to  the  fupreme  Power,  he 
again  changed  his  Name  to  Safawpen^  as  Opechancanough 
did  his  to  Mangopeeomen.  Upon  what  Reafon  of  Cuftom, 
or  Dignity,  or  Humour,  thefe  Changes  were  made  in  their 
Names,  I  cannot  fay  ;  but  to  avoid  Confufion,  I  fliall  take 
no  Notice  of  fuch  nominal  Differences,  but  (hall  always 
fpeak  of  the  fame  Perfon  by  the  fame  Name.  Opitchapan^ 
being  an  eafy,  decrepit,  and  una6live  Prince,  was  foon 
obfcured  by  the  fuperior  Parts  and  Ambition  of  his  younger 
Brother,  Opechancanough  ;  whofe  Figure  and  Activity  firft 
drew  the  Attention,  and  at  laft,  by  degrees,  engroffed  the 
whole  Power  of  the  Government ;  altho'  for  fome  time, 
he  was  content  witk,  and  feemed  chiefly  to  affe£l,  the  Title 
of  K'mg  of  Chickahom'iny.  However  they  both  renewed 
and  confirmed  the  League  with  the  Engl'ijh  ;  under  the  Pro- 
tedtion  of  which,  every  Man  peaceably  followed  his  Build- 
ing and  Planting,  without  any  remarkable  Accidents  or  In- 
terruption. 

The  other  Perfon  was  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  the  Father 
and  firft  Mover  of  thefe  American  Colonies  ;  to  whom  we 
owe  our  Name,  as  we  do  our  Settlement  alfo  to  the  Profe- 
cution  of  his  Defign.  In  Oi^oher  this  Year,  he  ended  a 
Life  of  much  Glory  and  Adverfity,  on  the  Scaffold,  to  the 
everlafting  Infamy  and  Reproach  of  King  'James.  For  he 
was  a  Perfon  of  very  great  Worth,  and  of  a  vaft  and  moft 
extenfive  Genius  ;  being  equally  fitted,  to  fliine  in  every 
Part  of  Life,  or  Branch  of  Art,  to  which  he  applied  him- 
felf.  And  he  was  accordingly  alike  famed,  as  a  Seaman, 
a  Soldier,  a  Statefman,  and  a  Scholar.  He  was  therefore 
univerfally  pitied  and  lamented,  and  even  interceded  for  by 
feveral  Princes  ;  by  the  Queen,  Prince  Henry.,  the  King  of 
Denmark.,  and  King  of  France.,  whofe  Agent  in  England., 
even  at  the  laft,  endeavoured  to  contrive  his  Efcape,  But 
King  James.,  perverfely  bent  on  the  Wrong,  could,  by  no 
means,  be  prevailed  upon,  to  fpare  the  greateft  and  wifeft 
Head  in  his  Dominions  ;  but  fliamefully  made  him  a  Sacri- 
fice to  his  darling  Dotage,  the  Spanijh  Match,  a  Meafure 
weak  in  itfelf,  but  profecuted  and  carried  on,  with  ftill 
greater  Weaknefs  and  Indifcretion.  But  his  Death  hath 
been  fo  often  deplored  and  condemned,  that  I  fhall  not  add 
to  the  general  Complaint  any  farther,  than  by  making  fome 
brief  Extra6ls  out  of  a  Letter,  preferved  by  Mr.  Rujhworth 

in 


156  The    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book    III. 

161S.     in  his  Colle<Elions,  to   fhew  the  fhameful   Cruelty  and  In- 

^— ~Y-^^ — 'juftice  of  the  A6t. 

Sam.Argall  Xhis  Letter  is  written,  by  a  great  Alinifter  of  State  in 
Englajtd^  to  Mr.  Cottington^  afterwards  Lord  Cottington^ 
the  Britijh  Refident  at  the  Court  of  Spain.  In  it  he  com- 
plains, as  by  Order  from  the  King,  of  the  Infincerity  and 
Chicanrv  of  the  Spatii/h  Court  in  that  Affair,  and  fets  forth 
the  upright  and  fincere  Intentions  of  his  Alajefty.  And  he 
fays,  that  he  is  particularly  commanded  by  his  Majefty,  to 
advertife  him  of  the  Execution  of  Sir  Walter  Ralegh^  who 
was  lately  put  to  Death,  chiefly  for  their  Satisfaftion,  and 
concerning  whom  he  promifes  fpeedily  to  fend  a  Declara- 
tion: That,  to  pleafe  them,  his  Majefty  of  late  had,  in 
many  things,  ftrained  upon  the  Affections  of  his  People ; 
and  moft  efpecially,  in  this  laft  of  Sir  IP  alter  Ralegh^  who 
died  vyith  great  Courage  and  Conftancy,  and  had  raifed 
much  Remorfe  and  Compaflion  in  the  People,  who  all  at- 
tributed his  Death,  to  the  Spanifh  Machinations,  and  his 
Majefty's  Defire  to  do  them  a  Pleafure  :  And  further,  he 
orders  him,  ftrongly  to  infift  upon  and  reprefent,  how  able 
a  Alan  Sir  Walter  Ralegh  was  to  haye  feryed  his  Majefty,  if 
he  had  been  pleafed  to  have  employed  him  :  And  that  yet, 
to  giye  them  Content,  he  had  not  fpared  him,  altho'  he 
might,  by  faying  his  Life,  have  given  infinite  Satisfaction 
to  his  People,  and  have  had  at  Command,  upon  all  Occa- 
fions,  as  ufeful  a  Man,  as  ferved  any  Prince  in  Chriften- 
dom. 

Thus  fell  one  of  the  laft-furviving,  and  the  brighteft 
of  all  the  Commanders,  bred  under  Queen  Elifaheth^  and 
by  her  flefhed  in  Spaiiijlo  Blood  and  Spoil.  And  what  is  the 
moft  reproachful  Part  of  it,  he  fell  a  Victim  to  his  own 
great  Alerit  and  Abilities,  the  Memory  and  Danger  of 
which,  to  the  Spanifo  Nation,  had  been  revived,  by  his  late 
Expedition  to  Guiana  \  as  alfo,  out  of  the  old  Grudge,  for 
his  many  eminent  Services,  under  his  former  Royal  and 
illuftrious  xMiftrefs,  Queen  Elifabeth^  and  to  place  him  be- 
yond a  Poflibility  of  ever  rendering  the  like  Services,  to 
King  yarnes  or  his  Son.  As  the  King's  whole  Conduct  to- 
wards him  was  a  ftrange  Medley  of  Iniuftice  and  Incon- 
fiftency,  fo  was  it  fmartly  obferved  by  his  Son,  Carcw  Ra- 
legh ;  That  his  poor  Father  was  firft  condemned,  for  being 
a  Friend  to  the  Spaniards^  and  afterwards  loft  his  Life,  by 
the  fame  Sentence,  for  being  their  Enemy.  He  died,  as  he 
had  lived,  with  great  Luftre  and  Honour  ;  with  the  Cha- 
rity, Serenity,  and  Refignation  of  a  Chriftian,  joined  to 
the  Magnanimity  and  intrepid  Courage  of  an  old  Roman. 

In 


Book  III.     The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  157 

I N  the  Beginning  of  the  Year  16 19,  Sir  George  Yeardley  was     '619. 

difpatched  and  fent  Governor,  with  divers  Commiflions  and  ^-^ ' 

Inftruftions  for  proceeding  againfl:  Captain  Jrgall  \n  /^/rg-/- St  Gfor^^ 
«/<?,  were  the  Fa6ls  were  committed,  and  where  the  Proofs,  Governor 
on  both  Sides,  might  readily  be  had.  The  Earl  of  War- 
wick and  his  Fa6lion  had  violently  oppofed  this,  but  not  be- 
ing able  to  prevail,  he  was  obliged  to  betake  himfelf  to 
other  Meafures.  Mr.  Rolfe''s  Commiffion  was  either  now 
expired  ;  or  elfe,  as  I  rather  believe,  he  had  given  Offence 
to  the  Company,  and  was  turned  out  of  his  Place  of  Se- 
cretary. And  this,  I  find  fome  Reafon  to  fufpeft,  pro- 
ceeded from  his  too  great  Submiffion  and  Subferviency  to 
Captain  Jrgall's  male  Pra6lices.  But  however  that  was, 
the  Earl  of  Way-wick  obtained  that  Place  from  Sir  Thornas 
S?nith^  for  Mr.  yohn  Pory^  who  now  went  over  with  the 
Governor.  For  the  IS^omination  to  that  Office  was  a  Com- 
pliment, made  by  the  Company  to  their  Treafurer  ;  till  af- 
terwards the  Earl  of  Southampton^  in  the  Time  of  his  Trea- 
furerfhip,  returned  it  back  to  the  Company,  and  referred  it 
wholly  to  their  Choice.  By  the  Means  of  this  Pory^  as  it 
was  vehemently  fufpe6led,  the  Earl  of  Warwick  got  the 
Ship  fo  long  flopped  and  retarded  on  the  Coafl  of  England^ 
that  he  difpatched  a  fmall  Bark,  before  from  PUmouth^  to 
fetch  away  Captain  Argall^  with  all  his  Goods  and  Booty. 
This  Bark  arriving  the  Beginning  of  April^  Captain  Argall 
took  immediate  Order  for  his  Affairs,  and  within  four  or 
five  Days,  embarked  in  her  for  England.  He  left  Captain 
Nathaniel  Powel  Deputy-Governor  ;  a  worthy  Gentleman, 
who  had  come  in  at  the  firfl  with  Captain  Smithy  and  ever 
fince  continued,  an  honeft  and  ufeful  Inhabitant.  But  his 
Government  was  of  very  fhort  Duration.  For  in  ten  or 
twelve  Days  after  Captain  Argall'^  Departure,  Sir  George 
Yeardley  arrived  ;  and  was  received  with  the  greater  Joy  and 
Welcome,  as  he  brought  with  him  feveral  Charters  from 
the  Company,  of  Grants  and  Liberties  to  the  Colony.  For 
the  honefler  Part  and  Majority  of  the  Company,  being 
alarmed  at  thefe  late  Proceedings,  refolved  to  be  more  atten- 
tive to  the  Affair,  and  to  prevent  all  fuch  Exorbitancies  for 
the  future.  One  of  thefe  Charters  only  have  I  feen,  con- 
taining Directions  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  State,  to 
lay  off  Lands  for  feveral  publick  Ufes  ;  and  likewife  con- 
firming Titles,  and  afcertaining  the  Methods  of  obtaining 
Lands  in  Virginia.,  and  for  preventing  fraudulent  and  fur- 
reptitious  Grants  ;  two  of  which,  of  a  very  extraordinary 
and  inconvenient  Nature,  had  been  obtained  by  Captain 
Martin  and  Captain  Argall.  But  Sir  George  Yeardley.,  hav- 
ing thus  narrowly  miffed  of  the  Quarry,  applied  himfelf  to 

the 


The   History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

the  Affairs  of  Government.  And  firft  he  added  the  fol- 
lowing Gentlemen  to  the  Council;  Captain  Francis  Wefi^ 
^TcardlT  ^^P^^'"  Nathaniel  Powel,  Mr.  John  Pory,  Mr.  John  Rolfe, 
Governor.  ^^"^ '  William  Wickha7n^  and  Mr.  Samuel  Macock.  For  al- 
though Captain  Powel  had  been  appointed  Deputy-Gover- 
nor, yet  was  he  not  of  the  Council.  For,  till  this  time, 
the  Governors,  in  Cafe  of  their  Abfence,  always  affumed 
to  themfelves  the  Power  of  naming  their  Deputies.  Soon 
after  Sir  George  publifhed  his  Intention,  of  holding  a  Gene- 
ral Aflembly  in  a  fhort  time  ;  which,  I  fuppofe,  was  one 
of  the  chief  Privileges  and  Powers,  granted  and  fent  over 
with  him.  And  I  likewife  find,  by  an  Inftrument  of  Wri- 
ting to  one  Richard  King/mil^  that  he  had  a  Power  to  grant, 
and  accordingly  did  grant,  to  all  the  ancient  Planters,  who 
had  been  here  before  Sir  Thomas  Dale's  Departure,  a  full 
Releafe  and  Difcharge  from  all  further  Service  to  the  Co- 
lony, excepting  only  fuch  Services,  as  they  fhould  willing- 
undertake,  or  were  bound  in  Duty  to  perform  by  the  Laws 
of  all  Nations  ;  together  with  a  Confirmation  of  all  their 
Eftates  real  and  perfonal,  in  as  full  and  ample  Manner,  as 
the  Subje6ls  of  England  held  and  enjoyed  them.  And  this 
Precaution  was  undoubtedly  occafioned  by  Captain  ArgaWs 
Rapines,  and  many  perfonal  Impofitions  on  the  ancient  Plan- 
ters and  Freemen  of  the  Colony. 

The  Earl  of  Warwick  was  highly  incenfed  at  thefe  late 
Proceedings  againft  Captain  Argall;  and  finding  Sir  Thomas 
Smith  not  ftanch,  and  fit  for  his  Purpofe,  he  purfued,  with 
great  Vehemence,  the  Removal  of  him  and  Alderman  John- 
fon^  the  Deputy,  from  the  Government  of  the  Company. 
Thofe  two  Gentlemen  had  alfo  given  much  Offence,  to 
the  greater  and  better  Part  of  the  Adventurers  ;  and  lay  un- 
der a  ftrong  Sufpicion,  as  well  of  Negligence  in  their  Office, 
as  of  Collufion  and  unfair  Dealing.  Sir  Thomas  Smith  too 
himfelf,  being  far  advanced  in  Years,  of  tender  Health, 
and  very  rich,  was  willing  to  furrender  a  Place,  of  fo  great 
Trouble  and  Fatigue,  and  fo  little  fair  Profit.  And  there- 
fore, being  already  Governor  of  the  Eajl-India  Company, 
and  lately  appointed  a  Commiffioner  of  his  Majefly's  Navy, 
he  declared,  at  a  Quarter  Court,  held  the  28th  of  Jpril^ 
that  he  was  unable  to  give  that  Attendance,  which  he  de- 
fired,  and  which  the  Affairs  of  the  Company  demanded  ; 
and  for  that  reafon,  requefted  the  Favour  of  them,  to  be 
difcharged  from  his  Office.  And  altho'  he  was  afterwards 
■named  by  fome  to  be  a  Candidate,  yet  he  was  fixed  in  his 
Refolution,  and  abfolutely  refufed  to  fland  in  Election.  In 
his  Room,  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  Sir  John  JVolJienhobne^  and 
Alderman   Johnfon^  were  propofed  -,  and  the  Choice  fell  on 

Sir 


Book  III.     "The   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  he  having  fifty  nine  Voices,  Sir  John 
Woljienholme  twenty  three,  and  Alderman  'Johnfon  eighteen. ' 
Sir  Edwin  was  a  Gentleman  of  Kent^  and  a  Member  of  ^"'  George 
Parliament ;  a  Perfon  of  excellent  Underftanding  and  Judg-  Governor 
ment  ;  of  great  Induftry,  Vigor,  and  Refolution  ;  and  in- 
defatigable in  his  Application  to  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Com- 
pany and  Colony.  He  had,  before  this,  on  Account  of  his 
Iduftry  and  Knowledge  of  their  Affairs,  been  often  joined, 
by  the  Courts,  with  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  in  the  Management 
of  feveral  weighty  things,  relating  to  the  Colony.  So  that 
fcarce  any  thing,  whilft  he  was  in  Town,  paffed  without 
him.  But  he  afterwards  complained,  that  what  was  done, 
during  his  Abode  in  Town,  was  commonly  undone,  when 
he  was  abfent  in  the  Country.  Mr.  John  Farrar^  an  emi- 
nent Merchant  of  London^  with  a  like  Majority,  was  chofen 
Deputy-Treafurer  ;  a -worthy  Second  to  Sir  Edwin  Smtdys^ 
and  every  way  fit  for  the  Poft,  conferred  upon  him. 

But  not  to  caft  off  an  old  Servant  with  Difregard,  who 
had,  in  the  Time  of  greateft:  Trouble  and  Difficulty,  con- 
tinued above  twelve  Years  in  the  principal  Office  of  the 
Company,  at  the  Motion  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  twenty 
great  Shares,  or  two  thoufand  Acres  of  Land,  were  be- 
ftowed,  as  a  Gratuity,  upon  Sir  Thomas  Smith.  But  there 
was  not  the  leaft  Notice  taken,  or  Reward  given,  to  Al- 
derman Johnfon.  And  thefe  Alterations  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Company  gave  not  only  much  Satisfa6lion  in 
England.^  but  were  alfo  received  with  great  Joy  in  Virginia  ; 
where  the  old  Officers  had  been  long  and  bitterly  exclaimed 
againft,  by  the  general  Voice  of  the  Colony.  But  the 
Earl  of  Warwick  was  fo  far  from  gaining  by  the  Change, 
that  he  had  now  a  Perfon  of  much  greater  Honour  and  In- 
tegrity, and  a  Gentleman  of  principal  Figure  and  Intereft 
in  the  Nation,  to  oppofe  his  Schemes  and  Defigns.  For 
altho'  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  was  much  wronged  in  the  Execu- 
tion of  his  Office,  and  even  fought  to  be  deterred  by  Threats 
of  Blood,  yet  they  could  no  way  turn  him,  from  a  vigorous 
Profecution  and  Enquiry  into  the  late  Diforders  in  Virginia. 
At  the  Expiration  of  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Government,  af- 
ter fourfcore  thoufand  Pounds  Expence  and  twelve  Years 
Labour,  the  Colony  confifted  of  about  fix  hundred  Perfons, 
Men,  Women,  and  Children.  And  they  had  about  three 
hundred  Head  of  Cattle,  fome  Goats,  and  infinite  Num- 
bers of  Hogs,  both  wild  and  tame.  But  all  the  Compa- 
ny's Lands  and  Plantations  were  utterly  ruined  and  depo- 
pulated by  Captain  Argall^  there  being  only  three  Tenants 
left  thereon,  and  fix  Men  of  what  he  called  his  Guard. 
And  notwithfl:anding  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Boaft,  that  he  had 

left 


rhe   History  ^/VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

left  four  thoufand  Pounds,  for  the  new  Treafurer  to  proceed 
upon,  yet  it  was  found,  upon  Examination,  that  the  Com- 
Sir  George  pany  was  abovc  that  Sum  in  Debt.  However  Sir  Edwin 
Governor  ^^^dys^  and  all  the  founder  and  more  publick-fpirited  Part 
of  the  Company,  applied  themfelves,  with  a  laudable  Dili- 
gence and  Induftry,  to  reform  the  Abufes,  and  by  all  the 
Methods,  they  could  devife,  to  fet  forward  and  advance  the 
Plantation. 

Sir  George  Teardley^  upon  his  Arrival  in  Virginia^  find- 
ing a  great  Scarcity  of  Corn,  made  it  his  firft  Care  to  fup- 
ply  that  Defe6l.  And  therefore  he  wrote  to  the  Treafurer 
and  Company  in  England^  to  excufe  him,  if  he  made  not 
fuch  Returns  in  Tobacco,  this  Year,  as  might  be  expefted. 
For  he  was  determined,  bv  the  BlefEng  of  God,  to  raife 
such  a  plentiful  Crop  of  Corn,  that  the  Colony  fhould  not, 
in  hafte,  be  in  any  further  Danger  of  Want.  And  about 
the  latter  End  of  'June^  he  called  the  firft  General  Affem- 
bly,  that  was  ever  held  in  Virginia.  Counties  were  not  yet 
laid  off,  but  they  ele6led  their  Reprefentatives  by  Town-  ^ 
fhips.  So  that  the  Burroughs  of  'James-Town.^  Henrico^^y 
Bermuda  Hundred^  and  the  reft,  each  fent  their  Members  to 
the  Afi"embly.  And  hence  it  is,  that  our  Lower  Houfe  of 
Affembly  was  firft  called  the  Houfe  of  Burgefi^es,  a  Name 
proper  to  the  Reprefentatives  of  Burroughs  or  Towns  ; 
and  it  hath,  by  Cuftom,  ever  fince  retained  that  Appella- 
tion, altho'  the  Burgeffes,  or  Members  for  Towns  and  Cor- 
porations, are  very  few  and  inconfiderable  at  prefent,  in 
Comparifon  of  the  Reprefentatives  for  Counties.  Mr.  Be- 
verley fays,  they  fate  in  the  fame  Houfe  with  the  Gover- 
nor and  Council,  after  the  Manner  of  the  Scotch  Parlia- 
ment ;  and  we  are  told  by  Smithy  that  they  debated  all 
Matters,  thought  expedient  for  the  Good  of  the  Colony. 
The  A6ls  of  this  General  Aftembly  were  remitted  to  En- 
gland^ and  prefented  to  the  Company,  to  be  read  in  their 
Court,  the  20th  of  March  following.  For  the  Company 
then  had  the  regal  Power  of  confirming,  or  difanulling  our 
A6ls  of  Afi'embly.  I  can  no  where  find,  among  the  Re- 
cords now  extant,  any  Account  of  the  Particulars,  that 
pafled.  Only  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  upon  Perufal  of  them, 
aflures  the  Company,  that  they  were  very  well  and  judi- 
cioufly  formed  ;  but  they  were  very  intricate,  and  difficult 
to  be  reduced  into  diftin6l  and  proper  Heads. 

However  we  may  be  certain  of  this  happy  Effe6t,  that 
by  the  Introduction  of  the  Briti/h  Form  of  Government, 
by  Way  of  Parliament  or  Affembly,  the  People  were  again 
reftored  to  their  Birthright,  the  Enjoyment  of  Britijh  Li- 
berty ;    and  that  moft  grievous  and  oppreffive  Cuftom   of 

Trial 


Book.  III.     ne   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Trial  by  Martial  Law  was  thereby,  if  not  at  once,  yet  by 
Degrees,  entirely  banifhed  and  aboliflied.  It  is  true  indeed, 
that  before,  both  by  the  Royal  Charters,  and  by  all  other  Sir  George 
Law  and  Reafon,  the  Englijh^  tranfplanted  hither,  had  a  "^(ardUy, 
Right  to  all  the  Liberties  and  Privileges  of  EngUJh  Subjeas.  ^°^"'^°^- 
And  certainly  no  Perfon,  in  his  Senfes,  would  have  left  the 
Liberty  of  England^  to  come  hither  (in  order  to  improve 
the  Commerce,  and  increafe  the  Riches  of  the  Nation)  to 
a  State  of  Slavery  ;  when  without  that,  it  was  natural  to 
fuppofe,  that  they  muft  undergo  much  Hardfhip  and  La- 
bour. Yet  by  the  Neceffity  of  the  Times,  by  the  Igno- 
rance of  the  People,  and  bv  the  Oppreffion  and  Tvranny  of 
Governors,  thev  had,  thus  far,  been  deprived  of  that  their 
native  Right.  But  with  the  Englijl)  Form  of  Government, 
the  Englijh  Libertv  again  revived  and  flourifhed  ;  and  to- 
gether with  the  Nation,  they  now  tranfplanted  and  difFufed 
into  America  their  moft  happy  Conftitution.  From  this 
Time  therefore,  we  may  moft  properly  date  the  Original 
of  our  prefent  Conftitution,  by  Governor,  Council,  and 
Burgeffes  ;  which  altho'  defective  perhaps  in  fome  material 
Points,  yet  comes  fo  near  to  the  excellent  Model  of  the  En- 
glijh Government,  that  it  muft  be  the  hearty  Prayer  and 
Defire  of  all  true  Lovers  of  their  Country,  that  it  may 
long  flourifti  among  us  and  improve.  For  this  happy  Change, 
we  are  chiefly  indebted  to  the  Change  of  the  Officers  and 
Governors  of  the  Company  in  England^  and  to  the  Adlivity 
and  Attention  of  Sir  Edivin  Sandys^  and  many  other  worthy 
Members  of  the  Company,  to  the  Affairs  of  the  Colony. 

This  Summer,  they  laid  off"  four  new  Corporations; 
which  encreafed  the  Number  of  their  Burroughs,  that  had 
Right  to  fend  Members  to  the  Aflembly,  to  eleven  in  all. 
And  yapazaws^  the  King  of  Patozumack^  came  to  Jarjies- 
Town^  and  invited  the  Engliflo  into  his  River  to  trade ;  for 
a  more  plentiful  Year'  of  Corn  had  not  been  known,  in  a 
long  time.  But  Captain  Ward^  being  fent  thither,  was 
treacheroufly  dealt  with  by  the  Natives  ;  and  the  thing 
coming  to  open  Hoftility,  he  took  from  them  eight  hundred 
Bufhels  bv  Force,  and  fo  returned  to  'James-Town.  One 
Captain  Stallings.,  this  Year,  had  the  Misfortune,  firft  to 
have  his  Ship  caft  away,  and  not  long  after  to  be  flain,  in 
a  private  Quarrel,  by  William  Eppes.  And  the  whole 
Colony  laboured  under  fo  great  a  Mortality,  that  no  lefs 
than  three  hundred  of  the  Inhabitants  died  within  the  Year. 
But  in  Mitigation  of  this,  they  had  the  moft  plentiful  Crop 
of  Grain,  that  had  ever  yet  been  raifed,  fince  the  firft  Plan- 
tation of  the  Country.  And  indeed  the  Company  received 
fuch  an  Account  of  it,  as  will  not  eafily  gain  Credit  ;  which 
23  M  I  there- 


i62  The   History    of  VIRGINIA.      Book  III. 

1619.     I  therefore  leave  entirely  to  the  Reader's  good  Pleafure,  to 
^~ — ^.--^^  believe  or  difbelieve,  as  he  thinks  fit  ;   neither  fhould  I  have 
Sir    George  related  it,  had  I  not  found  it  authentically  recorded,  in  the 
Governor.    Company's  Journals.      For  by  Letters  from  Virginia^  they 
were  informed,  that  they  had  had  two   Harvefts  of  Wheat, 
the  firft  being  (haken  by  the  Wind,  and  producing  a  fecond  ; 
and  their  Ground  was  fo  extraordinary  fat  and  good,  that 
they  planted  Indian  Corn  upon  the   Stubble,  and  had  an  ex- 
cellent Crop  of  that.      But   it    muft  be   remembered,   that 
rare-ripe  Corn  was  the  Corn  of  thofe  Times,  and  that  they 
ufually  had  two  Crops  of  it  in  a  Year. 

Whilst  things  were  in  this  State  in  Virginia^  Sir  Ed- 
win Sandys  was,  by  no  means,  idle  or  negligent  of  his 
Charge  in  England.  For  turning  the  whole  Bent  of  his 
Thoughts,  towards  the  Improvement  and  Furtherance  of 
this  noble  Enterprife,  he  got  a  Committee  appointed,  con- 
fiiting  of  Sir  Dudley  Digges^  Sir  Edward  Harwood^  and  di- 
vers other  Knights,  Gentlemen,  Merchants,  and  Citizens, 
as  well  for  compiling  and  reducing  the  flianding  Rules  and 
Orders,  for  the  Government  of  their  own  Company,  into 
one  entire  Body,  as  more  efpecially  for  conftituting  Laws, 
and  fettling  a  Form  of  Government  for  Virginia^  appoint- 
ing Magiitrates  and  Officers,  and  declaring  their  feveral 
Fun6lions  and  Duties.  And  this  was  one  of  the  chief  Powers 
and  Injunctions  of  his  Majefty's  Letters  patent  and  Inftruc- 
tions  to  the  Company.  As  to  the  former  Part,  concerning 
the  Government  of  themlelves,  it  was  eafily  brought  to  a 
tolerable  Head.  But  the  latter  being  a  vaft  Defign,  of  very 
great  Weight  and  Difficulty,  and  comprehending  no  lefs, 
than  a  Project  for  rearing,  conftituting,  and  forming  a  com- 
pleat  Commonwealth,  in  all  its  Parts,  it  never  could,  not- 
withftanding  Sir  Edwin  Sandys's  great  Pains  and  Diligence, 
be  brought  to  any  fatisfaclory  Conclufion.  So  that  Firginia 
was  left  to  the  beft  Means  of  forming  its  Government  ;  that 
is  to  fay,  to  work  after  the  Englijh  Plan,  with  the  Affiftance 
of  Time  and  Experience,  and  the  united  Senfe  and  Endea- 
vours of  its  Reprefentatives  and  Officers  of  State. 

The  King  had  formerly  iffued  his  Letters  to  the  feveral 
Bifhops  of  the  Kingdom,  for  collecting  Money,  to  ereft 
and  build  a  College  in  Virginia.,  for  the  training  up  and 
educating  Infidel  Children  in  the  true  Knowledge  ot  God. 
And  accordingly,  there  had  been  already  paid  near  fifteen 
hundred  Pounds  towards  it,  and  more  was  expected  to  come 
in.  For  belldes  other  Particulars,  Sir  Edwin  Sandys.,  upon 
fome  Conference  with  the  Bifhop  of  Litchfield.,  found,  that 
he  had  never  heard  of  any  Collection  in  his  Diocefe  ;  but 
he  promifed,  as  foon  as  he  fliould  have  a  Warrant,  to  fur- 
ther 


Book  III.      V.ie   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

ther  fo   good   a   Defign,   with   the   utmofi:    Diligence.       Sir 
Edwin   therefore   recommended   it   to    the   Company,   as    a 
thing  moft  worthy  of  their  Confideration,  both  for  the  Glo-^'.''  ^^°''g' 
ry   of  God,  and  their   own    Honour.      And   he   told   them,  Q^yg^^'o^. 
that  it  was  an  Affair  of  that  Weight  and   Dignity,  that  they 
muft  expe6l  to  render  an  Accout  of  their  Proceedings  to  the 
State  ;  and  that  Negligence  therein  could  never  efcape  pub- 
lick  Notice  and  Cenfure,  efpecially  of  thofe,  who  had  ge- 
neroufly  contributed  towards  it.      He  therefore  had  Sir  Dud- 
ley Digges^  Sir  Nathaniel  Rich^  Sir   yohn  Woljlenholme^  Mr. 
Deputy   Farrar^   Dr.  Anthony^  and   Dr.    Gulfione^  appointed 
a   Committee,  to  meet,  as   he  fhould  order  and  direct,  and 
to  confult  thereupon.    And  he  likewife  moved  and  obtained, 
that  ten  thoufand  Acres  of  Land  fhould  be  laid  off  for  the 
Univerfity  at  Henrico^  a  Place  formerly  refolved  on  for  that 
Purpofe.     This  was  in-tended,  as  well  for  the  College  for  the 
Education  of  Indians^  as  alfo  to  lay  the  Foundation  of  a  Se- 
minary of  Learning   for   the   Engli/h.      In    Confequence  of 
thefe  Refolves,  Sir  Edwin  procured  fifty  Men  to  be  fent  this 
Summer,  and   fifty  more  the   Beginning  of  the  next  Year, 
to  be  feated  on  thefe  College  Lands,  as  Tenants  at  Halves. 
They  were  to  have  half  the  Profit  of  their  Labour  to  them- 
felves,   and  the  other  half  was  to  go,  towards  forwarding 
the  Building,  and  the  Maintenance  of  the  Tutors  and  Scho- 
lars.    And  as  a   Man's  Labour  was  then  computed  at  ten 
Pounds  Sterling  a  Year,  it  was  intended,  hereby  to  eftablifh 
an  annual   Revenue  of  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  this  good 
and  pious  Work.      Mr.  George   Thorpe  alfo,  a   Kinfman  of 
Sir  Thomas  Dale's^  being  a  Gentleman  of  his  Majefty's  Pri- 
vy Chamber,  and  one  of  the  Council  in  England  for  Virgi- 
nia^ accepted  of  the  Place,  and  was  fent  over  the  next  Spring, 
as  the  Company's  Deputy  and  Superintendent  for  the  Col- 
lege.     And  for  his  Entertainment  and  Support,  they  granted 
three  hundred  Acres  of  Land,  to  be  for  ever  annexed  and 
belonging  to  that  Place,  with  ten  Tenants  thereon. 

I  N  a  great  and  general  Quarter  Court  of  the  Company, 
held  in  November  this  Year,  Sir  Ediuin  Sandys  told  them, 
that  his  Duty  and  Inclination  running  equally  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  this  good  A61:ion,  he  had  many  things  to  lay 
before  them.  And  accordingly,  he  reminded  them,  that 
the  Maintenance  of  the  Publick,  in  all  States,  was  of  no 
lefs  Importance,  even  for  the  Benefit  of  private  Men,  than 
the  Root  and  Body  of  a  Tree  are  to  the  particular  Branches. 
And  he  recalled  to  their  Remembrance,  how  by  the  admi- 
rable Care  and  Diligence  of  two  worthy  Knights,  Sir  Tho- 
mas Gates  and  Sir  Thomas  Dale^  the  publick  Eitate  and  Re- 
venue of  the  Company  had  been  fet  forward,  in  a  Way  to 
great  Perfection  :   That  the  former,  Sir  Thomas   Gates^  had. 

M  2  the 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

the  Honour  to  all  Pofterity,  to  be  the  first  named,  in  his 
Majeftv's  Patent  and  Grant  of  Virginia^  and  was  alfo  the 
rL3/7'  firft,  that  by  his  Wifdom,  Induftry,  and  Valour,  accom- 
Governor.  P^^ied  with  exceeding  Pains  and  Patience,  in  the  Midft  of 
many  Difficulties,  had  laid  the  Foundation  of  the  prefent 
profperous  State  of  the  Colony  :  And  the  latter.  Sir  Thomas 
Dale^  building  upon  thofe  Foundations,  with  great  and 
conflant  Severity,  had  reclaimed,  almoft  miraculoufly,  thofe 
idle  and  diflblute  Perfons,  and  reduced  them  to  Labour  and 
an  honeft  Fafhion  of  Life :  That  proceeding  with  great 
Zeal  for  the  good  of  the  Company,  he  had  laid  off  publick 
Lands,  to  yield  them  a  ftanding  Revenue,  placed  Servants 
thereon,  as  alfo  upon  other  publick  Works,  for  the  Com- 
pany's Ufe  ;  eftabliflied  an  annual  Rent  of  Corn  from  the 
Farmers,  and  of  Tribute  from  the  Barbarians  ;  together 
with  a  great  Stock  of  Cattle,  Goats,  and  other  Animals  : 
That  this  had  fince  been  the  Occafion  of  drawing  fo  many 
private  Plantations,  to  feat  in  Virg'uiia ;  upon  Hope  and 
Promife  of  Plenty  of  Corn  and  Cattle,  to  be  lent  them  by 
the  Publick,  for  their  Eafe  and  Benefit,  at  their  firft  Arri- 
val :  But  that  fince  their  Times,  all  this  publick  Provifion 
had  been  utterly  laid  wafte  and  deftroyed  :  And  that  befides, 
for  about  an  hundred  Perfons,  which  appeared  to  have  been 
fent,  at  the  Company's  Charge,  within  the  two  or  three 
laft  Years,  Sir  George  Teardley  wrote  Word,"  that,  at  his 
Arrival,  only  three  could  be  found,  remaining  to  the  Publick : 
That  as  to  the  Means  and  Caufes  of  thefe  Dilapida- 
tions, he  doubted  not,  but  that  hereafter,  in  due  time,  they 
would  be  made  fully  manifeft  ;  but  that  he  forbore,  at  pre- 
fent to  touch  upon  them,  left  he  fhould,  by  Glance  of 
Speech,  give  Offence  to  any  Perfon  prefent  (for  Captain 
Argall^  the  known  Author  thereof,  was  then  in  Court  ) 
But  as  to  the  Remedies  of  thefe  Mifchiefs,  he  related  to 
them,  what  Methods  had  been  already  taken.  For  where- 
as, not  much  above  three  Years  before,  there  had  been  re- 
mitted from  Virginia  twelve  feveral  Commodities,  fold 
openly  in  Court,  to  the  great  Honour  of  the  A6lion,  and 
Encouragement  of  the  Adventurers  ;  yet  fince  that  time, 
there  had  been  little  returned,  worth  fpeaking  of,  except 
Tobacco  and  Saffafras  \  to  which  the  People  there  applied 
themfelves  fo  entirely,  that  they  would  have  been  reduced 
to  the  Neceffity  of  ftarving,  the  laft  Year,  had  not  the  Ma- 
gazine fupplied  them  with  Corn  and  Cattle  from  England : 
That  this  had  been  the  Occafion  of  ftopping  and  difcourag- 
ing  many  Hundreds  of  People,  who  were  providing  to  re- 
move themfelves  thither  :  That  frequent  Letters  had  there- 
fore been  fent,  from  the  Council  there  to  the  Governor  in 
Virginia^  to  reftrain  that  immoderate  planting  of  Tobacco, 

and 


Book  III.     Tbe   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

and  to  caufe  the  People  to  apply  themfelves  to  other  and 
better  Commodities:  And  that  he  had  alfo,  by  the  Advice' 
and  Confent  of  the  Council,  and  according  to  an  Order  now  ^""  <^"''^« 
to  be  propofed,  caufed  to  be  drawn  a  new  Covenant,  to  be  q^'^  '^' 
inferted  in  all  future  Grants  of  Land,  that  the  Patentees 
fliould  not  apply  themfelves,  wholly,  or  chiefly,  to  To- 
bacco, but  to  other  Commodities,  therein  fpecified  ;  an 
Example  whereof  they  would  now  fee,  in  a  Patent,  lying 
before  them  for  their  Approbation. 

But  altho'  they  had  been,  by  no  means,  negligent  in 
thefe  Affairs,  yet  he  faid,  that  his  principal  Care  and  Study 
had  been  employed,  to  fet  up  again  and  reftore  the  publick 
Stock  and  Revenue,  to  as  great,  or  a  greater  Degree  of 
Perfection,  than  they  had  heretofore  been  at.  And  to  that 
End,  he  recounted,  how  three  thoufand  Acres  of  Land 
had  been  laid  ofF,  fdr  the  Governor  ;  twelve  thoufand  for 
the  Company  ;  and  ten  thoufand,  for  the  Univerfity  at  He?7- 
rico.  And  that  feventy  two  Perfons  had  already  been  placed 
on  the  Company's  Land,  fifty  three  on  the  Governor's,  and 
fifty  on  the  College's  ;  an  hundred  and  feventy  five  in  all. 
But  not  content  with  this,  he  told  them,  that  he  had  ftill 
fome  farther  Propofitions  to  make  to  them. 

And  firft,  he  propofed  to  them,  that  thefe  Tenants  for 
the  publick  might,  the  next  Spring,  be  encreafed  to  the 
Number  of  three  hundred  ;  an  hundred  for  the  Company's 
Land,  an  hundred  for  the  College,  and  an  hundred  for  the 
Governor,  who  ftiould  be  obliged,  at  the  Expiration  of  his 
Office,  to  leave  the  fame  Number  to  his  Succefixjr ;  which 
would  thereby  raife  a  ffanding  Revenue  of  a  thoufand  Pounds 
a  Year,  and  eafe  the  Company  of  all  further  Expence  for 
his  Provifion  and  Entertainment.  And  whereas  Care  had 
been,  and  flill  ihould  be  taken,  during  his  Office,  to  fend 
over  to  thefe  Lands,  divers  flaid  and  difcreet  Perfons,  he 
propofed,  in  the  fecond  Place,  that  an  hundred  Boys  and 
Girls,  of  about  twelve  or  thirteen  Years  of  Age,  might  be 
fent  to  be  their  Servants  and  Apprentices  ;  in  the  Charge 
whereof,  he  hoped,  that  the  honourable  City  of  London 
would  partake  with  the  Company,  as  they  had  formerly 
done.  And  becaufe  he  underflood,  that  the  People  in  Vir- 
ginia^ tho'  feated  there  in  their  Perfons  for  fome  ie-w  Years, 
yet  were  not  fettled  in  their  Minds,  nor  intended  to  make 
it  their  Place  of  Refl  and  Continuance,  but  propofed,  after 
having  got  fome  Wealth,  to  return  again  to  England^  which 
tended  to  the  utter  Overthrow  and  Diflblution  of  the  Plan- 
tation ;  he  therefore  advifed,  and  made  it  his  third  Propo- 
fition,  that  there  fhould  be  fent  over  one  hundred  Maids, 
young  and  uncorrupt,  to  make  Wifes   for  the   Inhabitants  ; 

M   -i  that 


i66  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  III. 

1619.      that  Wives,   Children,   and    Families,   might    render   them 

— ^^ '  lefs  moveable,  and  fix  and  fettle  them,  together  with  their 

>ir  Giorge  Pofterity,  in  that  Soil :  And  that  fuch  of  thefe  Maids,  as 
^Ivernor  were  married  to  the  publick  Farmers,  fhould  be  tranfported 
at  the  Company's  Expence  ;  but  if  any  were  married  to 
others,  that  then  thofe,  who  took  them  to  Wife,  fhould 
repay  the  Company  their  Charges  of  Tranfportation.  And 
in  Confequence  of  this  Propofition,  ninety  Maids  were  ac- 
cordingly fent  the  following  Spring.  As  to  the  Manner  of 
tranfporting  thefe  Perfons,  to  make  up  five  hundred  in  all 
for  the  Publick,  he  propofed,  in  the  fourth  Place,  that  they 
fhould  not  hire  Shipping,  as  heretofore,  fince  each  Ship, 
at  its  Return,  in  bare  Freight  and  Wages,  emptied  the 
publick  Cafli  of  eight  hundred,  and  fometimes  a  thoufand 
Pounds  ;  but  that  they  fhould,  as  he  had  already  done  this 
prefent  Year,  take  the  Advantage  of  the  Ships  trading  to 
Newfoundland^  and  fo  tranfport  them,  at  fix  Pounds  a  Per- 
fon,  without  any  after  Reckonings.  Fifthly,  he  propofed, 
the  fending  twenty  Heifers,  for  every  hundred  Tenants, 
threefcore  in  the  whole  ;  which,  with  their  Breed,  might 
foon  raife  them  a  tolerable  Stock  ;  and  which  he  had  Hopes 
of  having  tranfported,  taking  the  Opportunity  of  Shipping 
in  the  Wefiern  Parts,  at  ten  Pounds  a  Head,  to  be  delivered 
in  Virginia. 

Lastly,  as  to  the  Charges,  he  obferved  to  them,  that 
there  never  could  be  a  more  proper  Time,  for  fuch  large 
Tranfportations,  than  the  prefent ;  Corn  being  fo  exceedingly 
cheap  and  plentiful  at  home,  and  there  being,  by  their  Ad- 
vices from  Virginia.,  fo  great  Promifes  of  an  excellent  Crop 
there.  And  he  alfo  fhewed,  how  much  the  Company  was 
bound  to  give  Thanks  to  Almighty  God,  for  all  his  Blef- 
fings,  who  continually  raifed  Means,  to  fupport  and  carry 
oh  this  great  Work  ;  and  he  particularlv  mentioned  one  un- 
known Gentleman  alone,  who  promifed  five  hundred  Pounds, 
on  Demand,  for  the  Converfion  and  Education  of  three- 
fcore Indian  Children  ;  and  that  he  had  likewife,  upon  his 
Letters,  received  AfTurance  from  fundry  Parts,  and  fome 
of  them  very  remote,  that  if  they  proceeded  with  the  Un- 
dertaking, they  fhould  not  want  for  Money.  But  not  to 
rely  upon  fuch  precarious  Funds  and  Hopes,  he  related  to 
them,  particularly,  the  feveral  Ways  and  Means,  by  which 
the  Money  would  arife.  And  he  eflimated  the  whole 
Charge,  at  four  thoufand  Pounds,  to  be  done  fparingly  ; 
and  bountifully,  at  five  thoufand.  He  alfo  promiled,  not 
to  leave  the  Company  one  Penny  in  Debt,  for  any  A61  or 
Thing,  to  be  performed  within  his  Year ;  and  that  he 
would  moreover  difcharge  three  thoufand  Pounds  of  former 

Debts, 


Book  III.     Tbt'   History    of  VIRGINIA.  167 

Debts,  according  to  the  Stock,  left  at  the  time  of  his  com-      1619. 
ins;  to  his   Place.     And   thefe   things   done,  he  hoped,  the  ^^—^v^"^ 
Publick  would  again  be   fully  reftored,  a    Foundation  laid  ^"'  <^"1« 
for  a  future  great  State,  the  Adventurers  and   Planters  well  GlTernor 
comforted  and  encouraged,  and  all   Matter  of  Scandal  and 
Reproach   to  them  and  the   Enterprife   removed.      And  fo 
he  concluded,  by  recommending  thefe  Points  to  their  mod 
ferious  Confideration,  and  the  whole  Enterprife  to  the   Blef- 
fing    of   Almighty    God.      Thefe    Proportions,  which    had 
been  before  made  in  two  feveral  Courts,  and  were  now  re- 
peated at  the  particular  Defire  of  fome  noble  Lords  prefent, 
were  received  with  that  Applaufe,  they  well  deferved ;  and 
they  palled,  upon  the  Queftion,   with    an    unanimous  Ap- 
probation, altho'  Sir  yohn  IVolJieyiholme^  in  a  former  Court, 
had  made  fome  vain  J^xceptions  againft  them.      And  Sir  £'<3'- 
win  Sandys^  with  an  extreme  Care  and  Diligence,  faw  them 
all  afterwards  put  effeilually  into  Execution. 

But  befides  thefe  reputable  People,  to  be  tranfported  at 
the  Company's  Charge,  the  Treafurer  and  Council  received 
a  Letter  from  his  Majefty,  commanding  them,  forthwith 
to  fend  away  to  Firginia  zn  hundred  diflblute  Perlbns,  which 
Sir  Edward  Zouch^  the  Knight  Marfhal,  would  deliver  to 
them.  In  Obedience  to  his  Majefty 's  Command,  it  was 
refolved,  to  fend  them  over  with  all  Conveniency,  to  be 
Servants,  which  Mr.  Treafurer  underftood,  would  be  very 
acceptable  to  the  Colony.  But  as  it  was  Nouember^  and 
Shipping,  at  that  Seafon,  not  eafily  procured,  it  was  thought 
they  could  not  be  fent  off  before  "January  at  fooneft.  But 
to  fatisfy  his  Majefty,  the  Company  agreed  to  be  at  the  Ex- 
pence  of  their  Maintenance,  in  the  mean  while.  The 
Treafurer  was  therefore  defired,  to  deliver  this  their  An- 
fwer  to  his  Majefty,  by  Secretary  Calvert.  But  he  was 
told,  that  the  King's  Command  was  urgent,  and  admitted 
no  Delay  ;  and  that  fifty,  at  leaft,  muft  with  all  Speed  be 
fhipped  off.  And  notwithftanding  his  juft  Reprefentations, 
howgreat  Inconveniency  and  Expence  would  thence  accrue  to 
the  Company  ;  that  they  could  not  well  go  in  lefs  than  four 
Ships,  left,  being  io  many  together,  they  ftiould  mutiny, 
and  run  away  with  the  Veffel;  that  thofe  four  Ships,  to  be 
got  thus  fuddenly,  without  taking  Advantage  of  the  Veffels 
trading  to  America.,  would  not  ftand  the  Company  in  lefs 
than  four  thoufand  Pounds  ;  and  that,  notwithftanding  all, 
Ships  were  not  to  be  procured  fo  fpeedily,  at  that  Time  of 
the  Year.  Yet  nothing,  he  could  alledge,  giving  Satisfadlion, 
the  Company  were  obliged  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  the 
Deputy  and  other  fele6l  Merchants,  to  employ  all  their  En- 
deavours, for  compafling  Shipping,  with  all   poflible   Speed. 

M  4  And 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

And   by  good   Fortune,  for  the  additional   Premium  of  an 
hundred    Pounds,    they    procured    a    large    Ship,    to    carry 

Sir  George  them   off;    but   which   neverthelefs   could    not    fail    before . 

Governo;.    February. 

Those,  who  are  acquainted  with  Hiftory,  and  know, 
with  how  high  and  magillerial  a  Hand,  this  King  fometimes 
carried  it,  even  with  his  Parliaments,  will  not  be  furprifed, 
to  find  him  thus  unmercifully  infult  a  private  Company,  and 
load  them,  againft  all  Law,  with  the  Maintenance  and  ex- 
traordinary Expence  of  tranfporting  fuch  Perfons,  as  he 
thought  proper  to  banifh ;  and  that  perhaps,  without  any 
colourable  Pretext,  or  fufficient  Warrant  of  Law  at  that 
time.  And  I  cannot  but  remark,  how  early  that  Cuftom 
arofe,  of  tranfporting  loofe  and  diffolute  Perfons  to  Virgi- 
nia^ as  a  Place  of  Punifhment  and  Difgrace  ;  which  altho' 
originally  defign'd  for  the  Advancement  and  Increafe  of  the 
Colony,  yet  has  certainly  proved  a  great  Prejudice  and 
Hindrance  to  it's  Growth.  For  it  hath  laid  one  of  the 
fineft  Countries  in  Britijh  America.,  under  the  unjuft  Scandal 
of  being  a  mere  Hell  upon  Earth,  another  Siberia.,  and  only 
fit  for  the  Reception  of  Malefactors  and  the  vileft  of  the 
People.  So  that  few  People,  at  leaft  few  large  Bodies  of 
People,  have  been  induced,  willingly  to  tranfport  them- 
felves  to  fuch  a  Place  ;  and  our  younger  Sifters,  the  Nor- 
thern Colonies,  have  accordingly  profited  thereby.  For 
this  is  one  Caufe,  that  they  have  outftripped  us  fo  much, 
in  the  Number  of  their  Inhabitants,  and  in  the  Goodnefs 
and  Frequency  of  their  Cities  and  Towns. 

His  Majefty  had,  by  his  Letters  patent,  bearing  Date 
the  23d  o{  May  1609,  granted  the  Company  a  "  Freedom 
*'  from  all  Cuftom  and  Subfidy,  for  twenty  one  Years,  ex- 
"  cepting  only  five  per  Cent,  upon  all  fuch  Goods  and 
"  Merchandifes,  as  fliould  be  imported  into  England.,  or 
"  any  other  of  his  Majefty  s  Dominions,  according  to  the 
"  ancient  Trade  of  Merchants."  Notwithftanding  this, 
which  was  intended  for  the  Eafe  and  Encouragement  of  the 
Infant  Colony,  the  Farmers  of  the  Cuftoms,  upon  a  gene- 
ral Rate  made  of  Tobacco,  both  Spani/h  and  Virginia.,  at 
ten  Shillings  the  Pound,  demanded  fix  Pence  a  Pound,  e- 
qually  upon  all  ;  altho'  Spanijh  Tobacco  was  ufually  fold 
at  eighteen  Shillings  a  Pound,  and  fometimes  more,  and 
Virginia  would  feldom  bear  above  three  or  four  Shillings. 
Mr.  Jacob  alfo.  Farmer  of  the  Impoft  upon  Tobacco,  did 
moft  oppreflively  impofe  another  fix  Pence  a  Pound,  con- 
trary to  the  clear  and  indubitable  Tenor  of  his  Majefty's 
Grant.  And  the  Company,  in  June  this  Year,  importing 
twenty   thoufand   Weight,   the   whole    Crop  of  the  former 

Year, 


Book  III.     The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  169 

Year,  had  delivered  it  all  into  the  Cuftom-Houfe,  as  they      1619. 
were  required,  that  the  Tobacco  might   be   weighed,  and^"-    y    -^ 
the   Cuftom  anfwered.      But    Mr.  Jacob,  of   his   own    Au- S^^ J^"^"^ 
thority,  ftopped  and  feifed   the  Tobacco,  till  that  Impoft  oi q^^^/^^\^ 
fix  Pence  a  Pound  Ihould  be  difcharged.      And  this  alfo  will 
foon  be  perceived  by  thofe,  who  are  any  thing  verfed  in  the 
Hiftory  of  thofe  Times,   to    be  entirely  confonant  to  the 
Behaviour  of  the   Cuftomers  then ;    whofe    Infolence    and 
arbitrary   Proceedings,  fupported   by   the   Royal  Authority, 
and  even  encreafed  and  carried  to  a  greater  Height  in  the 
next  Reign,  was  one   of  the   chief  and  mofl:  vifible  Caufes 
of  the  general  Difcontent  of  the  Nation,  and  of  the  unhappy 
Civil  War,  which  enfued. 

The  Company,  being  thus  wronged  and  abufed,  ap- 
plied themfelves  to  the  Lords  of  his  Majefty's  Privy  Coun- 
cil, and  obtained  their  Letter  to  Mr.  Jacob,  to  deliver  the 
Tobacco,  upon  their  entering  into  Bond  to  pay  him,  what- 
foever  fhould  appear  to  be  his  due,  upon  Certificate  from 
his  Majefty's  learned  Council,  within  a  Month.  But  Jacob 
reje6ling  this,  and  all  other  Conditions  offered  by  the  Com- 
pany, and  likewife  exafting  twelve  Pence  a  Pound  at  Pli- 
mouth,  upon  the  Somer-IJlands  Tobacco,  it  was  refolved  to 
try  the  Strength  of  their  Charter,  and  to  enter  an  Action 
againft  him  for  the  Damage,  which  was  already  computed 
at  two  thoufand  five  hundred  Pounds  Sterling.  But  after- 
wards, confidering,  that  their  Commodity  was  very  perifh- 
able,  and  that  their  Suit  could  not  be  determined  that 
Michaelmas  Term,  they  altered  their  Method  of  Proceed- 
ing, and  by  the  Advice  of  a  g-reat  Lord  of  the  Privy  Coun- 
cil to  Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  they  brought  the  Matter  before 
the  Council  Board  ;  where,  upon  the  Attorney-General's 
delivering  his  Opinion  clearly,  that  the  Company,  by  their 
Letters  patent,  were  free  from  all  Impofition,  and  after 
fome  Delay  and  Chicanry  of  Mr.  Jacob,  it  was  ordered, 
upon  a  full  Hearing  of  the  Allegations  on  both  Sides,  that 
he  Ihould  deHver  the  Tobacco  to  the  Company,  paying  all 
lawful  Duties  appertaining  thereto.  And  thus,  at  length, 
they  regained  their  Goods  out  of  the  Hands  of  this  Harpy  ; 
but  were  obliged  to  fit  filently  by  the  great  Lofs  and  Da- 
mage, occafioned  partly,  by  impairing  it's  Worth  through 
Drying  and  other  Corruption,  and  partly  by  the  Fall  of  the 
Price,  upon  the  Sale  of  Engliflj  Tobacco,  made  fince  it's 
Importation.  To  which  was  added  the  daily  Expe6lation 
of  more,  both  from  Virginia  and  the  Somer-IJlands,  which 
rendered  the  Market  fo  mean  and  dead,  that  they  were  fadly 
puzzled  and  perplexed,  how  to  difpofe  of  it.  And  at  laft, 
after  many  Schemes  and  Efforts  to  raife  the  Price,  they  were 
24  obliged 


lyo  'The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

1619.  obliged  to   fell  it  very  low,  and  were   confiderable  Lofers 

Sir  George        j^  ^^g  ^^g  peculiar  Mark  and   Property  of  this   Family 

leardley,         c  tr  ■  11  1  •  ^     r 

Governor.    *^^  °^^  ^'"gs,  that  they  were  always  craving,  and  for  ever 

1620.  poor  and  in  Want,  notwithftanding  the  frequent  Contribu- 
^— -Y— i^  tions  of  the  People,  to  fome  of  them  efpecially  ;  the  Reafons 

of  which,  it  lies  not  within  my  Province  at  prefent,  to 
open  and  explain.  And  accordingly  King  'James^  notwith- 
ftanding his  natural  Antipathy  to  Tobacco,  began  now  to 
tafte  the  Sweets  of  the  Revenue,  arifing  from  it  ;  and  was 
therefore  very  ill  fatisfied,  with  this  Determination  of  the 
Privy  Council.  For  in  the  very  Beginning  of  the  next 
Year,  within  a  Month  after,  under  Colour,  that  fome 
Spanijh  Tobacco  had  fold  at  twenty  Shillings  a  Pound,  he 
demanded  of  the  Company  twelve  pence  a  Pound,  Cuftom 
and  Impoft,  for  theirs.  But  it  was  unanimoufly  agreed,  to 
ftand  refolutely  upon  the  Privilege  of  their  Charter,  which 
they  could  not  give  up  or  betray,  without  the  greateft 
Breach  of  their  Truft  and  Duty.  And  therefore,  as  Vir- 
ginia Tobacco  had  never  been  a6lually  fold  for  more,  than 
five  Shillings  a  Pound,  but  generally  much  lower,  they  fub- 
mitted  to  pay  three  Pence  a  Pound  Cuftom,  which  was  full 
five  per  Cent,  on  their  higheft  Price,  But  however,  to  avoid 
all  Conteft  with  the  King,  as  his  Majefty  had  given  Order 
for  prohibiting,  by  Proclamation,  the  planting  EngUJh  To- 
bacco, for  live  Years  enfuing,  they  agreed,  in  Return  to 
that  his  Majefty's  Favour,  during  the  faid  Term  of  five 
Years,  if  the  Proclamation  took  Effedl,  and  continued  fo 
long,  to  add  nine  Pence  a  Pound  more,  and  thereby  to  make 
it  up  twelve  Pence  ;  which  was  the  Full  of  his  Majefty's 
Demand,  tho'  not  in  the  fame  Form.  But  it  was  con- 
ceived, unlefs  this  Offer,  and  the  true  Meaning  thereof, 
ftiould  be  entered,  as  an  A61,  in  the  Lords  Commiflioners 
of  the  Treafury's  Books,  it  would  be  very  difficult,  at  the 
Expiration  of  the  five  Years,  to  withdraw  the  Payment, 
but  continuing  fo  long,  it  might  be  demanded  for  ever,  as 
due  from  the  Company  to  the  King.  They  therefore  ap- 
pointed a  Committee,  to  repair  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Coun- 
cil, and  to  take  Care,  that  this  Bargain  be  exactly  recorded, 
and  alfo  to  procure  a  Copy  of  the  faid  Record,  to  be  en- 
tered in  the  Company's  Journals.  But  as  to  the  Farm  of 
the  Impoft  on  Tobacco,  the  Refufal  whereof  the  King,  at 
the  fame  time,  off"ered  them,  they  held  it  inconvenient  at 
prefent  to  be  undertaken  ;  but  not  entirely  to  rejedl  his 
Majefty's  Offer,  they  permitted  fome  of  their  Society,  to 
join  for  a  Part,  in  the  Company's  Name,  but  in  reality, 
for  their  own  proper  Ufe  and  Behoof. 

The 


Book  III.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

The  Trade  of  Virginia  had  been  thus  far  reftrained, 
and  kept  in  the  Adventurers  Hands,  except  a  few  Inter- 
lopers, that  ftraggled  in  by  Chance  ;  and  the  Method  of  ^"^  George 
carrying  on  this  Trade  was  thus.  Every  Adventurer,  that  Governor 
pleaied,  fubfcribed,  what  he  thought  proper,  to  a  Roll ; 
which  Money,  together  with  a  certain  Sum  perhaps,  con- 
tributed out  of  the  publiclc  Cafli  of  the  Company,  made 
their  Capital  or  Stock.  With  this  they  bought  Goods,  and 
fent  them  to  the  Cape-Merchant  in  Virginia^  who  had, 
long  before  this,  loft  his  original  Office  of  being  Keeper  of 
the  publick  Storehoufes,  and  was  become  the  Company's 
chief  Factor.  The  Cape-Merchant,  having  fold  thefe 
Goods  to  the  Inhabitants,  for  Tobacco  or  other  Commo- 
dities, remitted  the  Effe61:s  to  England.  This  Society  for 
Trade,  called  the  Magazine,  was  a  dift:in6l  Body  from  the 
publick  Company  ;  but  always  under  its  Controle,  as  it  re- 
ceived its  Being  and  Authority  from  the  Company,  and  as 
the  Joint-Stock  of  the  Company  was  always  the  greateft 
and  principal  Adventurer  in  it.  Alderman  fohnfon  had 
ever  been  at  the  Head  of  this  Magazine,  under  the  Title  of 
Director  ;  and  fince  the  Removal  of  himfelf  and  Sir  Thomas 
Smith  from  their  Offices,  it  had  been  the  Subje6l  of  much 
Fadlion  and  Difcord.  For  they  had  made  many  Difficulties, 
in  fubmitting  to  the  Orders  of  the  Company,  concerning 
the  Place  of  their  Meetings  ;  had  neglecEted  to  bring  their 
Accounts  to  an  Audit,  tho'  very  clear  and  fairly  kept  ;  and 
had  delayed  and  kept  off  the  making  any  Dividend  ;  which 
things  had  caufed  much  Difturbance  and  Diffenfion.  To 
remove  therefore  fuch  a  Block  of  Offence,  it  was  now  a- 
greed  to  diffolve  this  Magazine,  and  to  leave  the  Trade  free 
and  open  to  all ;  only  with  this  Provifo,  that  the  Goods  of  ■ 
the  Magazine,  then  upon  hand  in  Virginia^  fhould  be  firft 
fold  off,  before  any  of  the  fame  Kinds  fhould  be  vended. 

But  the  Diligence,  Vigor,  and  Fidelity  of  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys.,  and  of  others  of  the  Company,  had  now  raifed  the 
Reputation  of  the  A6lion  very  high.  And  accordingly  there 
had  been  prefented,  by  an  unknown  Perfon,  the  former 
Year,  a  Communion  Cup,  with  a  Cover  and  Cafe,  a 
Trencher  Plate  for  the  Bread,  a  Carpet  of  Crimfon  Velvet, 
and  a  Damafk  Table-Cloth,  for  the  Ufe  of  the  College  ; 
and  another  had  given  a  fair  Set  of  Plate,  with  other  rich 
Ornaments,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Rohinfon's  Church,  who  had, 
the  Year  before,  bequeathed  two  hundred  Pounds,  towards 
the  Building  of  it.  And  now,  in  the  Beginning  of  this 
Year,  another  unknown  Perfon  fent  five  hundred  Pounds, 
direiled  ;  To  Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  the  faithful  Treafurer  of 
Virginia.      This  was  for  the  Maintenance  of  a  convenient 

Number 


rhe    History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

Number  of  young  Indians^  from  feven  or  under,  to  twelve 
Years  of  Age,  to  be  inftru6led  in  Reading  and  the  Prin- 
Sir  George  ^iples  of  the  Chriftian  ReHgion  ;  and  then  to  be  trained  and 
GovernoJ  brought  up  in  fome  lawful  Trade,  with  all  Gentlenefs  and 
Humanity,  till  they  attained  the  Age  of  twenty  one  ;  and 
after  that,  to  have  and  enjoy  the  like  Liberties  and  Privi- 
leges, with  the  native  EngUJh  in  Virginia.  And  he  likewife 
fent  fiftv  Pounds,  to  be  given  into  the  Hands  of  two  reli- 
gious and  worthy  Perfons,  who  fhould,  every  Quarter,  ex- 
amine and  certifv,  to  the  Treafurer  in  England^  the  due 
Execution  of  this  Defign,  together  with  the  Names  of  the 
Children,  and  of  their  Tutors  and  Overfeers.  This  Cha- 
rity, the  Company  thought  not  proper,  to  entruft  to  private 
Hands,  but  committed  the  Management  of  it  to  Sjnith's 
Hundred  chiefly.  This  lay  in  the  Parts  above  Hampton^ 
up  into  Warwick.^  and  was  fo  called,  in  Honour  to  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith.  But  after  this.  Sir  Thomas^  with  the  Earl  of 
JVarwick^  and  the  reft  of  that  Fadion,  fold  out  their  Shares 
in  this,  and  other  private  Plantations,  and  only  referved 
their  Part  in  the  Company's  publick  Stock,  in  order  to  be 
prefent,  and  to  have  a  Vote  at  their  Courts.  Wherefore, 
this  was  afterwards  changed  to  the  Name  of  Southainpton 
Hundred  ;  either  in  Honour  to  the  Earl  of  South ampt on .^ 
their  next  Treafurer,  or  rather,  as  that  Nobleman  became 
the  chief  Adventurer  in  the  Plantation.  And  further,  for 
the  better  procuring  and  retaining  the  Indian  Children,  the 
Companv  ordered  a  Treaty  and  Agreement  to  be  made  with 
Opechancatiough.,  and  authorifed  Sir  George  Teardley.,  to 
make  him  fuch  Prefents,  out  of  the  Magazine,  as  would 
be  moft  grateful  to  him,  and  beft  promote  the  Defign.  Mr. 
Nicholas  Farrar.^  the  Elder  (Father,  as  I  take  it,  to  the 
prefent  and  fucceeding  Deputy-Treafurer  of  the  Company) 
alfo  bequeathed  three  hundred  Pounds,  for  converting  In- 
fidel Children  in  Virginia.  He  ordered  this  to  be  paid  into 
the  Hands  of  Sir  Edivin  Sandys  and  Mr.  John  Farrar^  at 
fuch  time,  as  it  fhould  appear  by  Certificate,  that  ten  In- 
dian Children  were  placed  in  the  College  ;  and  then,  by 
them  to  be  difpofed  of,  according  to  his  true  Intent  and 
Meaning.  And  in  the  mean  time,  he  obliged  his  Executors 
to  pav  eight  per  Cent,  for  the  Monev,  to  be  given  to  three 
feveral  honeft  Men  in  Virginia^  of  good  Life  and  Fame, 
and  fuch  as  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  and  Mr.  John  Farrar  fhould 
approve  of,  each  to  bring  up  one  of  the  faid  Children,  in 
the  Grounds  and  Principles  of  the  Chriftian  Religion. 

There  was,  at  this  time,  a  great  Scarcity  of  Clergy  in 
Virginia  ;  there  being  but  five  Minifters  and  eleven  Bur- 
roughs, each  of  which,  being  fome  very  diftant  from  each 

other, 


Book  III.      The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  ij^ 

other,  was  ere6led  into  a  diftin6l  Parifh.  The  Company  1620. 
indeed  had  before,  in  their  Charter  by  Sir  George  Teardley^  ^'-^-y-'"-^ 
taken  Care  of  a  handfome  Provifion  for  the  Clergy.  For  ^"^ '^^'"'^' 
they  had  ordered  an  hundred  Acres  of  Land,  in  each  of  the  GoTernor 
Burroughs,  to  be  laid  off  for  a  Glebe  ;  and  that  there 
fliould,  for  their  further  Maintenance,  be  raifed  a  {landing 
and  certain  Revenue,  out  of  the  Profits  of  each  Parifh,  fo 
as  to  make  every  Living,  at  leaf!:  two  hundred  Pounds  Ster- 
ling a  Year.  And  this  Stipend  I  find,  two  Years  after,  fet- 
tled in  the  following  Manner  :  That  the  Minifter  (hould  re- 
ceive Yearly  fifteen  hundred  Weight  of  Tobacco,  and  fix- 
teen  Barrels  of  Corn,  which  was  then  eftimated  at  two 
hundred  Pounds  Sterling :  That  this  fliould  be  raifed  by  ten 
Pounds  of  Tobacco  and  a  Bufliel  of  Corn  a  Head,  for  every 
labouring  Man  or  Boy,  above  fixteen  Years  of  Age  ;  pro- 
vided, it  did  not  exceed  fifteen  hundred  Weight  of  To- 
bacco and  fixteen  Barrels  of  Corn  :  But  if  any  Plantation 
was  not  able,  to  make  up  that  Quantity,  by  ten  Pounds  of 
Tobacco  and  a  Bufliel  of  Corn  a  Head,  that,  in  fuch  Cafe, 
the  Minifter  fliould  be  contented  with  lefs,  according  to 
the  Number  of  Tithables.  And  now,  for  a  farther  En- 
couragement, that  pious,  learned,  and  painful  Minifters 
might  be  invited  to  go  over,  the  Company  ordered  fix  Te- 
nants to  be  placed  on  each  of  thofe  Glebes,  at  the  publick 
Expence  ;  and  they  applied  to  the  Bifliop  of  London^  for  his 
Help  and  Ailiftance  in  procuring  proper  Minifters,  which 
his  Lordfliip  readily  promifed,  and  undoubtedly  performed. 
For  he  had  ever  been  a  great  Favourer  and  Promoter  of  the 
Plantation,  and  had  himfelf  alone  collected  and  paid  in  a 
thoufand  Pounds  towards  the  College  ;  which  he  would  not 
permit  the  Company  to  diminifli,  by  a  Prefent  to  his  Re- 
gifter,  who  had  been  very  a6live  and  ufeful  in  the  Collection. 
And  for  this,  and  other  his  Deferts  towards  them,  he  was 
made  free  of  the  Company,  and  chofen  one  of  his  Majefty's 
Council  for  Virginia. 

As  the  Country  was  very  defencelefs  and  unfortified, 
and  as  the  Interefts  and  Improvements  of  the  Inhabitants 
were  now  much  encreafed,  and  become  confiderable,  they 
began  to  grow  uneafy  in  that  Particular  ;  and  they  wrote 
to  the  Treafurer  and  Company  in  England^  to  procure  them 
fkilful  Engineers,  to  raife  Fortifications  ;  promifing,  them- 
felves  to  bear  the  Charge  of  it.  Wherefore,  to  give  them 
prefent  Satisfaction,  and  as  regular  Fortifications,  to  endure 
Afi'ault  and  Battery,  were  not  fo  needful,  as  the  chufing 
and  improving  fome  Places  of  natural  Strength  and  Advan- 
tage, Sir  Thomas  Gates  was  entreated  by  the  Company,  as 
well  in  Regard  of  his  military  Skill,  as  of  his  Knowledge  of 

the 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  III. 

the  Country,  to  write  them  his  private  Letters  of  Advice 
and  Direction.  And  he  was  alfo  defired,  together  with  Sir 
^Y  ^rdf^'  Natha7iiel  R'lch^  to  confer  with  General  Cecil  about  it,  a- 
Governo'r.  ^^other  eminent  and  military  Member  of  their  Society,  and 
youngeft  Son  to  the  famous  Lord  Treafurer  Burleigh^  who 
likewife  promifed,  if  other  Methods  failed,  to  write  them 
fuch  particular  Directions  and  Inftru6lions,  that  they  might 
eafily  themfelves  proceed.  To  them  was  afterwards  added 
Sir  Horatio  Vere^  who  was  efteemed  the  Perfon  of  the 
greateft  military  Skill  and  Reputation  of  any  in  that  un- 
warlike  Age.  He  was  therefore,  this  Summer,  fent  Com- 
mander of  the  fingle  Regiment,  which  King  fames^  in  his 
great  Wifdom,  thought  fit  to  furnifh  out,  for  the  Relief 
and  Support  of  his  diftrefled  Son  in  Law,  the  Palatine  of  the 
Rhine.  For  altho'  General  Cecil  had  been  firft  defigned  for 
that  Service,  yet  he  was  afterwards  laid  afide,  and  this  Gen- 
tleman appointed  in  his  Room. 

The  Governor  and  Council,  in  Virginia.,  had  fettled 
and  allowed  certain  Fees  to  the  Secretary,  which  were,  this 
Year,  fent  to  England  for  Confirmation.  But  the  Treafu- 
rer and  Company  were  become,  from  the  late  Exactions, 
very  jealous  and  cautious  in  that  Point ;  and  did  moreover 
judge  thofe  Fees  to  be  very  oppreflive  and  intolerable.  And 
therefore,  for  the  f^afe  of  the  Colony,  they  declared,  that 
the  Secretary  fhould  receive  no  Fees  at  all ;  but  in  Recom- 
pence  of  all  Services,  they  allotted  five  hundred  Acres  of 
Land,  for  him  and  his  Succefixirs,  with  twenty  Tenants 
thereon.  This  was  laid  off  on  the  Eajiern  Shore,  and  the 
Grant  was  afterwards  enlarged.  But  whereas  Captain  Jr- 
gall.,  in  the  time  of  his  Sufpenfion  from  the  Place  of  Admi- 
ral, had  deputed  Abraham  Peirfey.,  the  Cape-Merchant,  to 
be  his  Vice-Admiral,  the  Company  declared  that  Deputa- 
tion, to  be  utterly  void  and  unlawful,  and  committed  the 
Execution  of  that  Office,  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
State,  and  to  fuch  under  them,  as  they  Ihould  authorife 
and  appoint. 

There  had  been  many  fcandalous  Reports  fpread  (as 
was  intimated  in  a  private  Letter  to  Mr.  Bland.,  a  very  con- 
fiderable  Merchant  of  the  Company)  of  the  Barrennefs  and 
Infertility  of  the  Soil  in  Virginia.  And  it  alfo  had  been  one 
efpecial  Piece  of  Captain  Jrgall'^  Policy,  in  order  tx)  dif- 
hearten  and  difgrace  the  Company,  to  vilify  the  Country, 
both  by  himfelf  and  his  Engines,  and  to  reprefent  it  as  lefs 
fertile,  than  the  moft  barren  arable  Lands  in  England.  And 
altho'  thefe  Afperfions  were  fufficiently  contradicted  by  his 
own  former  Letters  and  Reports,  yet,  for  a  fuller  Anfwer 
to  them,  a  Commiffion  was  fent  to   Virginia.,  and  a  Return 

made 


Book  III.     The   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

made  upon  Oath,  of  the  Strength  and  Goodnefs  of  the  Soil. 
But  as  Malice  is  more  induftrious  than  Truth,  thefe  un- 
juft  Scandals  prevailed  but  too  much,  and  difcouraged  many  ^"'  George 
Adventurers  from  making  their  Tranfportations.  To  ob-  GoTernor 
viate  therefore  all  fuch  ill  Confequences,  it  was  refolved 
upon  the  Motion,  and  committed  to  the  Care,  of  Sir  Ed- 
win Sandys  and  Dr.  Winjlone^  to  prepare  and  publifli  a  fmall 
Book,  containing  a  Refutation  of  all  fuch  flanderous  Re- 
ports ;  and  to  adjoin,  at  the  End,  an  alphabetical  Index  of 
the  Adventurers  Names.  This  laft  had  a  double  Ufe.  For, 
in  the  firft  Place,  it  did  great  Honour  to  the  Enterprife, 
by  fhewing,  that  many  of  the  chief  Perfons  in  the  Nation, 
for  Wifdom,  Fortune,  and  Dignity,  were  deeply  concerned 
in,  and  great  Encouragers  of  it.  And  next,  as  this  Index 
was  drawn  from  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Books,  which  were 
very  carelefly  kept  and' incorrect,  it  gave  the  Alarm  to  all 
fuch,  as  had  paid  in  their  Monies  to  him,  and  found  them- 
felves  omitted  in  this  Lift.  And  it  accordingly  made  them 
bring  in  his  Receipts,  or  Bills  of  Adventure  ;  whereby  ma- 
ny Sums  of  Money  appeared  to  have  been  received  by  him, 
which  could  otherwise  never  have  been  made  out  by  his 
Books,  or  proved  by  any  other  Method. 


THE 


176 


THE 

HISTORY 

OF 
V      I       R       G       I       N       I      A. 

BOOK    IV. 


1620. 


Sir   George 

YeardUy, 

Governor. 


H  E  Time  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys' &  Office  being 
expired,  there  was  held  a  great  and  general 
Quarter  Court  of  ElecSlion,  at  Mr.  Deputy 
Farrar'%  Houfe,  in  St.  Sithe''?,  Lane,  on  the  17th 
of  May^  confifting  of  three  Earls,  one  Vifcount, 
four  Lords,  thirty  Knights,  feveral  Doftors  and  Efquires, 
and  largely  above  an  hundred  other  Gentlemen,  Merchants, 
and  Citizens.  To  this  fplendid  Meeting,  Sir  Edwin  Sandys 
made  a  long  and  very  handfome  Speech,  laying  before  them 
the  State  of  their  Affairs,  at  the  time  of  his  Acceffion  to  the 
Office  of  Treafurer,  and  then.  In  this  he  was  naturally  led 
to  fet  forth,  as  well  the  Negligence  and  bad  Government 
at  home,  as  particularly  the  vaft  Lofs  and  Damage,  which 
the  Company  had  fuftained,  in  the  Time  of  their  Deputy 
Governor,  Captain  Argall.  And  he  informed  them,  that 
there  had,  within  his  Year,  been  fet  out  eight  Ships  at  the 
Company's  Expence,  and  four  others  by  private  Adventu- 
rers ;  and  that  thefe  Ships  had  tranfported  twelve  hundred 
and  fixty  one  Perfons,  whereof  fix  hundred  and  fifty  were 
for  the  publick  Ufe,  and  the  other  fix  hundred  and  eleven 
for  private  Plantations.  He  alfo  gave  them  an  Account  of 
the  feveral  Gifts,  which  had  been  made,  this  Year,  for 
pious  Ufes ;  and  of  the  many  Patents,  that  had  pafled  to 
various  private  Adventurers  and  their  Affociates,  who  had 

under- 


Book  IV.      rke   History   <?/  VIRGINIA.  177 

undertaken,  to  tranfport  to  Virginia  great  Multitudes  of  1620. 
People,  with  much  Cattle.  And  he  recounted  to  them''- — -r~~^ 
the  feveral  Methods,  which  had  been  taken,  to  draw  the  ^''' '^"''^' 
People  ofF  from  their  greedy  and  immoderate  Purfuit  of  To-  Governor 
bacco,  and  to  turn  them  to  other  more  ufeful  and  neceffary 
Commodities :  That  for  this  Purpofe,  an  hundred  and  fifty 
Perfons  had  been  fent,  to  fet  up  three  Iron  Works  :  That 
Directions  had  been  given  for  making  Cordage,  as  well  of 
Hemp  and  Flax,  as  more  efpecially  of  Silk-grafs,  which 
grew  there  naturally  in  great  Abundance,  and  was  found, 
upon  Experience,  to  make  the  beft  Cordage  and  Line  in 
the  World  ;  and  that  therefore  each  Family  had  been  or- 
dered and  obliged,  to  fet  an  hundred  Plants  of  it,  and  the 
Governor  himfelf  five  thoufand  :  That,  befides,  it  had  been 
recommended  to  them^  to  make  Pitch  and  Tar,  together 
with  Pot  and  Soap-Alhes,  and  to  provide  Timber  of  all 
Sorts,  for  Shipping,  and  other  Ufes;  to  which  End,  fuffi- 
cient  Men  and  Materials  had  been  fent  over,  for  ere6ling 
fundry  Sawing-Mills  :  That  the  Country  abounding  in  Mul- 
berry Trees  of  the  beft  Sort,  whereon  ibme  Silkworms  had 
been  found  naturallv,  producing  excellent  Silk,  they  had 
therefore  preffed  upon  them  the  Culture  and  Improvement 
of  that  Manufacture  ;  and  that  his  Majefty,  now  the  fecond 
time,  after  the  Mifcarriage  of  the  former,  had  beftowed 
upon  the  Companv  Plenty  of  Silkworm  Seed,  of  the  beft 
Sort,  out  of  his  own  Store  :  That  moreover,  as  the  Coun- 
try yielded  naturally  a  wonderful  Variety  of  excellent  Grapes, 
there  had  been  fent  divers  fkilful  Vignerons,  together  with 
Store  of  Vine  Slips,  of  the  beft  European  Kinds  :  And  laft- 
ly,  that  the  Salt-Works,  which  had  been  fufFered  to  run 
to  Decay,  were  again  reftored  and  fet  up ;  and  that 
there  were  now  Hopes  of  fuch  Plenty,  as  not  only  to  ferve 
the  Colonv  for  the  prefent,  but  alfo  ftiortly  to  fupply  the 
great  Fiftiery  on  thofe  American  Coafts. 

H  E  then  exhibited  to  the  Court  the  Book  of  his  Accounts, 
examined  and  approved  by  five  of  the  feven  publick  Auditors 
of  the  Company,  the  other  two  being  abfent.  And  he  fur- 
ther declared,  that  for  any  Bufinefs,  done  within  his  Year, 
he  had  not  left  the  Company,  to  his  Knowledge,  one  Pen- 
ny in  Debt,  except  perhaps  the  Remain  of  fome  Charges, 
which  had  not  been  delivered  in,  or  were  not  yet  become 
due ;  and  that  he  had  alfo  left  in  Stock  twelve  hundred 
Pounds  more,  than  had  been  left  to  him  the  former  Year. 
And  next,  he  proceeded  to  inform  the  Company  of  the  De- 
puty's Accounts,  who  himfelf  prefented  them,  exac?tlv  kept, 
after  the  Alanner  of  Merchants,  in  three  Books,  fubfcribed 
and  approved,  as  well  by  the  Company's  Committees,  as 
25  N  all 


178  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1620.     all  the  Auditors.     And  then  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  went  on,  and 

* Y 'told  the  Court,  that  he  could  not  but  greatly  commend  Mr. 

Sir  <^"''^«  Deputy-Treafurer's  Fidelity,  Care,  and  Induftry  ;  who,  to 
Governor  '^^  Negle6l  of  his  own  private  Affairs,  had  beftowed  his 
whole  Time,  together  with  the  great  Help  and  AfTiftance 
of  his  Brothers,  on  the  Bufinefs  of  his  Office,  which  he  had 
difcharged,  with  wonderful  Exa£tnefs,  and  an  incredible 
Diligence  and  Labour.  And  laftly,  he  concluded,  with  his 
refpe6live  Thanks  to  the  feveral  Orders  of  the  Company  : 
Firft,  to  the  Company  in  general,  for  their  good  Opinion 
and  AfFeclion,  in  chufing  him  their  Treafurer  :  Then,  par- 
ticularly to  the  Lords,  for  their  frequent  Prefence,  to  the 
great  Grace  and  Honour  of  the  Court,  and  Furtherance  of 
the  Enterprife  :  Next,  to  the  Officers,  for  their  Fidelity  and 
Diligence,  in  joining  with  him  to  fupport  the  great  Burthen 
of  the  Company's  Bufmefs:  And  laftly,  to  the  Court,  for 
their  Goodnefs  and  Patience,  in  bearing  with  his  involuntary 
Errors  and  other  Infirmities.  After  which,  delivering  up 
his  Office,  together  with  the  Seals,  he  defired  them  to  pro- 
ceed to  their  Eleftion,  according  to  the  Meffage,  lately  re- 
ceived from  his  Majefty  ;  and  thereupon  withdrew  himfelf 
out  of  Court. 

For  at  the  Beginning  of  this  Court,  before  they  had  en- 
tered upon  any  Bufinefs,  a  Gentleman  from  the  King  pre- 
fented  himfelf  to  the  Board,  and  fignified  ;  that  it  was  his 
Majefty's  Pleafure,  out  of  his  efpecial  Care  and  Affection  for 
the  Colony,  that  the  Company  fhould  ele6i:  one  of  the  four, 
which  he  fhould  name  to  them,  and  no  other,  to  be  their 
Treafurer.  Thefe  were  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  Sir  Thomas  Roe^ 
Mr.  Alderman  Johnfon^  and  Mr.  Maurice  Abhot.  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith  and  Alderman  fohnfon  had  before  been  in  their 
chief  Offices,  and  the  Company  conceived  themfelves  to 
have  little  Reafon,  to  be  fatisfied  with  their  Condu6l  and 
Proceedings.  But  in  Virginia  more  efpecially,  where  the 
Effects  of  their  Management  had  been  more  fenfibly  felt, 
they  were  notorioully  infamous,  and  utterly  detefted  and 
curfed  by  the  whole  Colony.  So  that  this  may  be  looked 
upon,  as  an  additional  Inflance  of  the  unhappy  Turn  of  that 
Monarch,  in  his  Choice  of  publick  Officers.  Sir  Thomas 
Roe  was  indeed  an  eminent  Perfon,  a  Man  of  Letters,  and 
a  very  great  Traveller,  and  is  well  known  to  the  Learned,  by 
the  Intimacy  and  Dearnefs,  that  was  between  him  and  Dr. 
Donne^  Dean  of  St.  Paul's ;  who  was  himfelf  afterwards 
one  of  the  Company,  and  of  his  Majefly's  Council  for  Vir- 
ginia. But  Sir  Thomas  Roe  is  mofl  noted,  for  his  EmbafTy 
from  King  Jaynes  to  the  Court  of  the  Great  Mogul^  and  for 
his  Journal  of  that  Embafl'y,  a  moil  judicious  and  exquifite 

Book 


Book  IV.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  179 

Book  of  Travels.      But  fince  his  Return  from  the  Great      1620. 

Mogul's  Court,  he  had  been  concerned  in  the  Cuftoms,  and"- — y ' 

was  hkewife  well  known,  to  have  had  a  long  and  intimate  ^"^  ^""'g' 
Friendfhip  with  Sir  Thomas  Smith  ;  both  which,  being  fuf-  Governor 
picious  Circumftances  to  the  Virginia  Company,  would  but 
little  contribute  towards  recommending  him  to  their  Choice. 
As  to  Mr.  Abhot^  little  is  known  of  him  ;  only  that  he  was 
a  Merchant,  and  may  feem,  from  fome  obfcure  Circum- 
ftances, to  have  been  of  Kin  to  his  Grace,  Dr.  George  Ab- 
bot^ then  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury. 

But  the  greatefl  Obftacle,  to  the  ElecSlion  of  either  of 
thefe  Gentlemen,  was,  that  the  Company  had,  almoft  una- 
nimoufly,  caft  their  Eye  upon  the  Earl  of  Southampton  for 
their  future  Treafurer,  a  Nobleman  of  eminent  Quality, 
Grandfon  to  the  Lord  Chanceller  Wriothejly  (one  of  King 
Henry  VIII's  Executors,  and  of  the  Regents  during  the 
Minority  of  Edzvard  VI.)  and  Father  to  the  great  and  vir- 
tuous Earl  and  Duke  of  Southampton.,  in  the  Reigns  of 
Charles  the  Firft  and  Second.  He  is  alfo  famed  in  Hiftory, 
for  his  Friendfhip  to  the  unfortunate  Earl  of  £^;f,  by  whofe 
Raflinefs  and  Impetuofity,  he  was  betrayed  into  fome  un- 
warrantable A6lions  ;  and  was  therefore,  at  the  fame  time 
with  that  Nobleman,  condemned  to  Death,  but  pardoned 
by  Queen  Elifabeth.,  and  kept  in  Prifon,  during  her  Life. 
He  was,  in  Truth,  an  early,  conftant,  and  great  Encou- 
rager  of  this  Settlement  of  Virginia.,  as  well  as  of  all  other 
noble  Works  and  Enterprifes  ;  and  is  particularly  memora- 
ble, for  his  generous  Patronage,  and  fmgular  Munificence, 
to  Shakefpear.,  the  Glory  and  Prodigy  of  the  Englifh  Stage. 
For  he  is  faid,  to  have  given  him,  at  one  time,  a  thoufand 
Pounds,  to  enable  him  to  go  through  with  a  Purchafe, 
which  he  underflood,  he  had  an  Inclination  to  make.  But 
altho'  he  had  been  a  ftrenuous  Friend  of  EJfex's.,  to  all 
whom  King  James  declared  a  particular  Regard  and  Obli- 
gation, as  that  Lord  was  thought  to  have  acSled  for  his  In- 
terefls,  and  altho'  he  was  admitted  of  the  Privy  Council, 
yet  was  he  but  little  afFeiled  or  liked  at  Court.  For  his 
Friendfhip  to  the  former  Earl  of  EJfex  was  continued  down 
to  his  Son  ;  whofe  hard  Ufage,  in  fome  Meafure  from  the 
Court,  in  the  Cafe  of  his  Wife,  could  not  but  have  been 
much~difapproved  and  difgufled  by  him.  And  befides,  a- 
bout  this  Time,  the  Encroachments  of  the  Prerogative, 
and  the  avowed  Principles  of  arbitrary  Power,  began  to 
raife  a  Spirit  of  Liberty  in  the  Nation  ;  and  the  Earl  of 
Southampton^  together  with  the  Earls  of  EJfex  and  Oxford^ 
were  foon  diftinguifhed,  as  the  undoubted  Heads  of  the 
patriot   Party   in   the    Houfe  of  Lords ;    whilfl   Sir   Dudley 

N  2  I^igS^h 


Governor. 


180  rZv   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

1620.     Digges^    Sir    Nathaniel   Rich^    Mr.    Selden^   and    others    of 

'— '^v '  the  Virginia  Company,  as  well  as  divers  A4embers  not  of 

Sir  George   ^^^  Company,  appeared  with  equal  Vigor  and   Refolution, 
/-.lll,.!'^!    in  the  Houfe  of  Commons. 

But  however  the  AfFe6lions  of  the  Company  might 
ftand,  they  were  much  troubled  and  perplexed,  by  this 
Meflage  from  the  King.  For  fhould  thev  proceed  accord- 
ing to  that  Nomination,  they  would  certainly  admit  a  very 
great  and  evident  Breach,  in  their  Privilege  of  free  Election. 
And  fhould  they  reie6l  it,  they  might  incur  the  Sufpicion 
of  Defedt  in  Point  of  Duty  and  Obedience;  an  Imputation, 
ever  hateful  and  eafy  of  Accefs  to  the  jealous  Minds  of  weak 
and  pufillanimous  Princes,  and  which  many  of  their  own 
difaffe6ted  Members  would  be  too  ready  to  improve,  to  the 
Difadvantage  of  the  Company.  Having  therefore  confulted 
the  Letters  patent,  it  was  at  length  agreed  to  adjourn  to 
Election  to  the  next  Quarter  Court  ;  and  after  much  and 
earneft  Refufal,  they  prevailed  on  Sir  Ediuin  Sandys^  to 
continue  in  his  Office,  till  that  time.  In  the  mean  while, 
as  it  evidently  appeared,  that  the  King  had  been  much  a- 
bufed  and  mifinformed,  concerning  the  Management  of 
their  Affairs,  they  appointed  the  Earl  of  Southafupton^  the 
Vifcount  Doncajier^  Lord  Cavendijh^  Lord  Sheffield^  Sir 
fohyi  Davers^  Sir  Nicholas  Tuft  on  ^  Sir  Latvrence  Hyde^  with 
others.  Gentlemen  and  Merchants,  to  deliver  in,  to  his 
Majefliy,  a  full  and  true  Account,  as  well  of  the  former,  as 
of  the  laft  Year's  Adminiftration  of  their  Affairs  ;  and  to 
befeech  his  Majefty,  not  to  take  from  them  the  Privilege  of 
their  Charters,  but  to  leave  it  to  their  own  Choice,  to  have 
a  free  Election.  To  which  Requefl:,  his  Majefty  readily 
condefcended  ;  and  farther  ngnified,  that  it  would  be  highly 
pleafing  and  agreeable  to  him,  if  they  made  Choice  of  fuch 
a  Perfon,  as  might,  at  all  times,  and  on  all  Occafions,  have 
free  Accefs  to  his  Royal  Prefence.  And  he  likewife  de- 
clared, that  the  Mefl'enger,  in  excluding  them  from  the  Li- 
berty of  chufing  any  other,  but  one  of  the  four  nominated, 
had  miftaken  his  Intention  ;  which  was  indeed,  to  recom- 
mend thofe  Gentlemen  to  their  Choice,  but  not  fo,  as  to 
bar  the  Company  from  the  Election  of  any  other. 

This  Anfwer  being  received  by  the  Company  with  great 
Thankfulnefs,  Mr.  Herbert  obferved  to  them,  that  ■  their 
Bufinefs  had,  of  late,  fuffered  much,  as  well  in  Reputation, 
as  otherways,  by  Reafon  of  fome  unhappy  Dilfenllons  a- 
mong  them  :  That  they  ought,  therefore,  ferioufly  to  think, 
of  applying  a  prefent  and  effedlual  Remedy  to  this  Evil : 
That  the  late  Treafurer  was  a  Gentleman  of  fuch  acknow- 
ledged  Sufficiency,  and  of  fo  great   Integrity  and  Induftry, 

that 


Book.  IV.     "The   History    of  VIRGINIA.  181 

that  of  his  Rank,  there  could  not  certainly  be  any  found  to  ^^^°- 
furpafs  him  :  That  therefore,  there  feemed  to  him  no  Hope  ^^-^-r^-^-^ 
left,  except  fome  of  thofe  honourable  Perfonages,  then  ^"^  ^jr^* 
prefent,  would  vouchfafe  to  accept  of  the  Place  of  Trea- Q^yg^nor 
furer  ;  who,  by  the  Addition  of  Nobility,  and  by  the  Luf- 
tre  and  Influence  of  their  high  Station,  might  effe6l  that, 
which,  they  had  found  by  Experience,  could  not  be  effe6l- 
ed,  by  mere  Dint  of  Ability  and  Induftry.  Hereupon,  the 
whole  Court,  befeeching  his  Lordfhip  to  redeem  this  noble 
Enterprife  from  imminent  Danger  and  Deftruilion,  did, 
with  univerfal  Joy  and  Applaufe,  nominate  the  Earl  of 
So'uthatnpton  ;  and  to  teftify  their  Thankfulnefs  and  Refpeft, 
they  ele6led  him  Treafurer,  without  the  Ballot,  by  a  gene- 
ral Acclamation  and  Ereftion  of  Hands.  And  his  Lordfhip, 
after  a  fliort  Paufe,  declared  his  Acceptance  ;  and  exhorted 
them  all,  to  put  on  the  fame  Mind,  with  which  he  accept- 
ed that  Place,  and  laying  afide  all  private  Feuds  and  Animo- 
fities,  to  labour  chearfully  and  unanimoufly,  for  the  Promo- 
tion of  the  publick  Good,  and  the  Advancement  of  the  Co- 
lony. But  as  his  Lordfhip's  Attendance  in  Parliament,  and 
other  weighty  Affairs,  might  not  always  permit  him,  to  be 
fo  conftant  at  their  Courts,  as  might  otherwife  be  wifhed, 
they  voluntarily,  and  without  his  Motion,  difpenfed  with 
him,  in  that  Particular.  And  they  alfo  re-eledied  Mr. 
yohn  Farrar^  to  the  Place  of  Deputy-Treafurer ;  whofe 
Experience,  and  known  Integrity  and  Diligence,  might 
well  fupply  the  occafional  Abfence  of  their  Treafurer.  Sir 
Edwin  Sandys  likewife,  who  was  in  a  clofe  and  intimate 
Friendfhip  with  the  Earl  of  Southampton^  was  afterwards 
authorifed,  at  his  Lordftiip's  Defire,  to  fet  his  Hand,  upon 
Occafion,  to  Receipts  of  Money,  for  the  Company's  Ufe  ; 
and  did  otherwife,  by  his  private  Diligence  and  A6livity, 
give  him  great  Eafe  and  Afliflance,  in  the  Execution  of  the 
Office. 

Captain  Brewjier'?,  Appeal  from  the  Sentence  of  the 
Court-Martial,  in  Virginia^  had,  all  this  while,  hung  in 
Sufpence  ;  and  it  had  even  been  declared,  by  a  Meeting  of 
the  Council  at  the  Earl  of  Warwick's  Houfe,  the  former 
Year,  that  Trial  by  Martial  Law  was  the  nobleft  kind  of 
Trial,  being  judged  by  Soldiers  and  Men  of  Honour.  But 
now,  proper  Certificates  and  attefled  Copies  of  the  Proceed- 
ings being  returned  from  Virginia^  the  Caufe  came  to  a  final 
Hearing  and  Determination,  in  an  extraordinary  Court, 
held  for  that  Purpofe,  and  compofed  of  feveral  Lords  and 
others  of  eminent  Quality  and  Diftin6lion.  But  here  there 
feems  to  have  reigned  a  quite  different  Spirit  from  that, 
which  appeared  at  the  Earl  of  Warwick's.     For  they  were 

N  3  no 


i82  Tbc   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

1620.     no  way  inclined,  to  give  up  the  many  Rights  and  Advan- 

"— '^.' '  tages  of  Juries  and  the  Laws  of  England^  for  the  extraordi- 

Sir  Georgi  j^^j-y  Privilege  of  being  fummarily  tried  by  Martial  Law, 
Governor  ^^'^  "^X'^^g  honourably  by  the  Verdict  of  Gentlemen  of 
the  Sword.  And  therefore,  being  fhocked  at  the  Cruelty 
and  Terror  of  the  Proceedings  againft  Captain  Brewjler^ 
they  declared  them  to  be  unjuft  and  unlawful,  and  not  war- 
rantable, either  in  Matter  or  Form,  by  the  Laws  of  En- 
gland^ or  by  any  Power  or  Authority,  derived  from  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Charters :  That  Captain  Brewjier  had  committed 
nothing,  any  way  worthy  of  the  fevere  Penalty  of  Death  : 
That  the  Manner  of  Trial  by  Martial  Law,  in  time  of 
Peace,  and  when  there  was  no  Mutiny  or  Rebellion,  was 
utterly  unlawful  and  of  no  Validity :  And  confequently, 
that  Captain  Brewjier  was  to  be  held  a  legal  Man,  and  not 
lawfully  condemned.  And  all  this  then  pafled  and  was  ra- 
tified by  the  univerfal  Affent  of  the  Court ;  altho'  Sir  Thomas 
Wroth^  who  had  married  the  Earl  of  Warwick'%  Sifter,  did, 
in  a  fubfequent  Court,  declare  his  DifTent,  on  fome  falfe 
and  frivolous  Pretences.  Captain  Brewjier  had  alfo,  upon 
his  Requeft,  a  Copy  of  this  A<£1  of  Court  granted  him,  ex- 
emplified under  the  legal  Seal  of  the  Company  ;  of  which 
he  fent  a  Duplicate  to  Virginia. 

In  May  this  Year,  there  was  held  another  General  Af- 
fembly,  which  has,  through  Miftake,  and  the  Indolence  and 
Negligence  of  our  Hiftorians,  in  fearching  fuch  ancient  Re- 
cords, as  are  ftill  extant  in  the  Country,  been  commonly 
reputed  the  firft  General  Affembly  of  Virginia.  But  that 
Privilege  was  granted  fooner,  immediately  upon  the  Difguft 
taken,  by  the  worthier  Part  of  the  Company,  at  Sir  Thomas 
Smith's  ill  Government,  and  the  infufFerable  Tyranny  and 
Iniquity  of  Captain  ArgalPs  Proceedings.  And  upon  Sir 
George  Teardley's  Reprefentation  of  the  Want  of  more 
Counfellors,  the  Company  appointed  the  following  Gentle- 
men to  be  of  the  Council  ;  Mr.  George  Thorpe^  Deputy  for 
the  College  ;  Mr.  Thomas  Newce^  who  had  alio  been  fent 
over  Deputy  for  the  Company's  Lands,  with  the  Allow- 
ance of  twelve  hundred  Acres,  and  forty  Tenants  ;  Mr. 
Tracy;  Mr.  Pountis  \  Mr.  Middleton  \  Mr.  Bluet;  and 
Mr.  Harwood.,  the  Chief  of  Martin's  Hundred.  And  we 
are  likewife  told  by  Mr.  Beverley^  that  a  Dutch  Ship,  put- 
ting in  this  Year,  fold  twenty  Negroes  to  the  Colony, 
which  were  the  firft  of  that  Generation,  that  were  ever 
brought  to  Virginia. 

Tobacco,  a  ftinking,  naufeous,  and  unpalatable  Weed, 
is  certainly  an  odd    Commodity,  to  make   the    Staple  and 
Riches  of  a  Country.     It  is  neither  of  Neceflity  nor  Orna- 
ment 


Book  IV.     T:he   History    of   VIRGINIA.  183 

ment  to  human  Life;  but  the  Ufe  of  it  depends  upon  Hu-  1620. 
mour  and  Cuftom,  and  may  be  looked  upon,  as  one  of  the  ^^~  y-"^"^ 
moft  fingular  and  extraordinary  Pieces  of  Luxury,  that  the  ^"  ^jr^' 
Wantonnefs  of  Man  hath  yet  invented  or  given  into.  It  is  Governor, 
not  therefore  to  be  wondered,  that  the  Colony's  Eagernefs 
and  Apphcation,  almoft  folely,  to  Tobacco,  vv^as  much 
diftafted  and  oppofed  by  the  Company  ;  efpecially  in  thofe 
early  Times,  before  it  had  yet  obtained  fuch  a  general  Re- 
ception and  Dominion  in  the  World.  To  which  may  be 
added,  that  the  King  himfelf,  to  whom  the  Age  in  general, 
and  the  Company  in  particular,  did,  on  many  Occafions, 
pay  great  Deference,  had  a  Sort  of  natural  Antipathy  to  it, 
and  was  perpetually  haranguing,  railing,  and  even  writing 
againft  it.  For  that  Solomon  of  England  thought  it  not  be- 
low his  Royal  Wifdoxn  and  Dignity,  to  write  a  Treatife, 
entitled  ;  A  Counter-Blaji  to  Tobacco.  The  Company  there- 
fore entered  into  and  admitted  various  Projects,  for  raifing 
other  things  of  more  immediate  Neceflity  and  Benefit  to 
Mankind;  fuch  as  the  feveral  Commodities,  mentioned  and 
recommended  by  Sir  Edwin  Sandys.,  in  his  late  Speech,  at 
the  delivering  up  of  his  Office,  with  many  others.  For  this 
Purpofe,  they  procured  plenty  of  Silkworm  Seed  out  of 
France.,  Italy.,  and  Spain  ;  and  fent  over  a  Perfon,  who  had 
been  brought  up,  many  Years,  in  tending  the  King's  Silk- 
worms at  Oatlands.,  and  was  thereby  become  very  fkilful, 
in  breeding  the  Worms,  and  winding  the  Silk,  and  under- 
took to  inftru6l  others  therein.  And  they  alfo  laid  out  for, 
and  had  Hopes  of  procuring,  many  more  fuch  fkilful  Artifts 
from  France.  And  as  the  Inhabitants  were  very  eager,  to 
have  the  Servants  and  Apprentices,  fent  over  by  the  Com- 
pany, they  made  an  Order,  for  the  greater  Encouragement 
of  thefe  Commodities,  that  fuch  Planters,  as  had  excelled, 
in  building  fit  Rooms  for  Silkworms,  and  in  planting  Mul- 
berry Trees  and  Vines,  fliould  have  the  firft  Choice  of  fuch 
Apprentices  and  Servants  ;  and  that  the  Company  would 
be  paid  for  them,  not  a  Whit  in  Smoke  and  Tobacco,  but 
in  Corn,  Silkgrafs,  Silk,  and  other  fuch  ufeful  Commo- 
dities. At  Sir  Edwin  Sandys's  Motion,  there  was  likewife 
tranflated,  by  fome  of  the  Company,  a  French  Treatife  (re- 
commended, as  excellent  in  that  Kind)  concerning  the 
Management  of  Mulberry  Trees  and  Silk  ;  which  was  print- 
ed at  the  Company's  Expence,  and  fent  over  in  fufficient 
Numbers,  and  diftributed  among  the  People.  And  they 
alfo  appointed  a  fele(St  Committee  of  Merchants,  to  rate  all 
thofe  feveral  Commodities  at  fuch  a  juft  Price,  that  the 
Company  and  Merchants  might  be  no  Lofers  thereby,  and 
yet  that  the  Planter  might  have  good  Encouragement  to 
raife  them,  N  4  Be- 


rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

Besides  thefe,  they  entered  into  Projefts  and  Con- 
trafts,  for  raifing  various  other  Commodities.  And  Sir 
Sir  George  Ed'nj'i-fi  Sandys  in  particular,  who  was  ever  ftudious  and  in- 
Governor  defatigable  in  the  Company's  Bufinefs,  prefented  a  long  and 
judicious  Writing,  containing  many  ufeful  Infi:ru6lions  and 
Projects,  for  the  Peace  and  better  Government  of  the  Com- 
pany at  home,  and  for  the  Advancement  of  the  Colony 
abroad  ;  all  which,  in  its  feveral  Parts  and  Branches,  was 
entrufted  to  proper  Committees,  to  ripen  and  bring  into 
Execution.  Sir  William  Monfon  alfo,  a  Perfon  of  great  E- 
minence  and  Note  (being  Admiral  in  the  Reigns  of  Queen 
Elifabeth^  James  I.  and  Charles  I.  and  Author  of  the  Naval 
Tra6ls)  together  with  his  Aflbciates,  offered  to  the  Com- 
pany, if  they  would,  for  feven  Years,  grant  them  the  fole 
Benefit  and  Importation,  from  Virginia^  of  two  fuch  new 
Commodities,  as  had  not  yet  been  difcovered  or  planted  by 
any  other,  to  pay  them  an  hundred  Pounds  per  Ayinum^  to 
plant  twenty  five  Men,  every  Year  during  the  faid  Term, 
and  then  to  refign  the  Whole  up  into  the  Company's  Hands. 
A  Patent  was  therefore  accordingly  granted,  with  proper 
Reftri6i:ions  ;  but  what  thefe  Commodities  were,  or  what 
was  the  Succefs  or  Confequence  of  this  Undertaking,  I  do 
not  find. 

This  Year  1620,  Count  Gondomar^  the  Spanijh  Am- 
baflador,  who  had  a  great  Afcendant  at  Court,  and  governed 
the  King,  as  he  pleafed,  prevailed  with  him,  to  fit  out  a 
Squadron,  of  fix  Ships  of  War  and  twelve  ftout  Merchant- 
men, in  order  to  humble  the  Algerines^  who  then  infefted 
the  Spanijh  Coafts  and  Trade,  but  were  not  any  way  parti- 
cularly troublefome  to  our  Nation.  And  thus  was  this  weak 
and  timorous  Prince,  who  could  not  be  drawn  to  make  any 
Steps,  towards  the  Vindication  of  his  own  Honour,  or  to 
fupport  the  Rights  of  his  Family,  or  the  Interefts  of  his 
Subjects,  ftrangely  engaged  in  a  warlike  Expedition,  in  De- 
fence of  a  treacherous  and  delufive  Ally.  This  Squadron 
was  put  under  the  Command  of  Sir  Robert  Manfel^  as  Ad- 
miral ;  together  with  whom.  Sir  Richard  Hawkins^  Vice- 
Admiral,  Sir  Thomas  Button^  Rear-Admiral,  Sir  Henry 
Palmer^  Arthur  Manwaring^  and  Thomas  Love^  Efqrs. 
Captains  of  the  other  Men  of  War,  and  Sa?nuel  Argall^  Efq; 
who  commanded  one  of  the  ftouteft  Privateers,  were  ap- 
pointed a  Council  of  War.  But  this  Enterprife  was  very 
weakly  managed ;  and  to  ufe  Sir  William  Motifons  Remark, 
altho'  it  was  defigned  to  find  out  and  deftroy  the  Pirates  of 
Algiers^  yet  the  Fleet  did  not  fpend  twenty  Days  at  Sea,  the 
whole  time,  they  continued  in  the  Mediterranean  \  but  re- 
tired into  Harbour,  where  the  Pirates  might  find  them,  but 

not 


Book  IV.     'The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  185 

not  they   the   Pirates.      So  that,  this    ill-condudted  Aftion      1620. 
afforded  fufficient  Subje£t  of  Scorn  and  Laughter  to  all  Na-'' — y"-^ 
tions  ;   efpecially  confidering  the  great   Reputation,  the  En-  ^"'  ^'^°''S' 
glij]}  had  juftly  gained,  in  their  former  Expeditions  at  Sea.  Governor 
But   Cambden  tells  us,  that,  in  Revenge  for  this  Injury  and 
Aflault,  the  Algerines  took,  by  the   9th   of  OSioher  follow- 
ing, thirty  five  Sail  of  EngUfh  and  Scotch  Ships. 

About  this  time,  there  arofe  a  warm  Difpute  between 
the  two  Colonies,  concerning  the  Virginia  Company's  Right 
to  fifh  at  Cape  Cod^  within  the  Limits  of  the  Northern  Colo- 
ny ;  and  upon  Reference  to  the  Letters-patent,  it  was  found 
clearly,  that  their  Pretenfions  were  juftly  grounded.  But 
Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges^  with  others  principally  concerned  in 
the  Northern  Grant,  endeavoured  privately  to  obtain  a  new 
Patent,  whereby  the  Southern  Colony  fhould  be  utterly  ex- 
cluded from  fifhing  upon  that  Coaft,  without  their  Leave 
and  Licence  firft  obtained.  This  gave  a  juft  Alarm  to  the 
Virginia  Compzny.  Forbefides  fix  thoufand  Pounds,  which 
they  had  already  expended  upon  that  Fifhery,  it  was  at  pre- 
fent  of  main  Confequence  to  them,  as  well  for  the  Support 
and  Suftenance  of  the  Plantation,  as  for  defraying  the  vaft 
Charge  of  Shipping  and  Tranfportation  of  People,  by  Re- 
turns made  from  thence  in  Fifh.  '  They  therefore  applied 
to  his  Majefty,  and  got  this  Patent  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gor- 
ges ftopped  and  feqiieftered,  in  the  Lord  Chancellor's  Hands. 
And  finding,  how  precarious  their  Privileges  were,  upon  his 
Majefty's  foleGrant,  and  how  liable  to  be  perpetually  violated 
and  impeded,  it  was  refolved,  upon  the  Motion  of  Mr. 
Smithy  a  fenfible,  worthy,  and  ufeful  Member  of  the  Com- 
pany, to  obtain  a  new  Grant,  with  all  fuch  further  Immu- 
nities, and  larger  Privileges,  as  were  fitting  and  requifite, 
and  to  have  it  ftrengthened  and  confirmed  in  the  Parlia- 
ment, which  was  to  meet  foon  after ;  and  upon  the  Earl 
of  Southampton's  Application  to  his  Majefty,  he  readily  gave 
his  Confent  to  it.  But  notwithftanding  the  Earl  of  Sou- 
thampton's Intereft  and  Endeavours,  and  Sir  Edwin  Sandys's 
great  Pains  and  Induftry  therein,  it  was  never  brought  to 
any  final  Iflue  or  Conclufion. 

But  the  Remedy,  propofed  by  Mr.  Herbert^  for  curing 
the  Fa6lions  and  Difcords  of  the  Company,  by  fetting  a 
Nobleman  of  eminent  Diftinflion  and  Authority  at  the  Head 
of  their  Affairs,  was  far  from  having  the  intended  Effe6i:. 
For  their  Animofities  and  Diffenfions  grew  higher,  towards 
the  latter  End  of  this  Year,  and  never  ended,  but  with  the 
Diffolution  of  the  Company.  As  therefore  they  were  the 
chief  Occafion  and  Pretence  of  that  Diffolution,  it  will  not 
be  improper  here,  to  give  a  fuller  and  more  diftincS:  Ac- 
count of  them.  Be- 

26 


Sir  Gcov'^ 
Ycardley, 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

Besides  the  Affairs  of  the  Magazine,  which,  notwith- 
ftanding  its  Diffolution,  ftill  afforded  Matter  of  Contention, 
there  were  two  other  principal  Subje6ls  of  Difpute  and  Con- 
Gover'nor.  fu^on  in  the  Company  )  the  fetthng  Sir  Thomas  S?riith's  Ac- 
counts, and  the  Profecution  of  Captain  Argall^  for  his  many 
Outrages  and  exorbitant  Proceedings  in  Virginia.  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith  had  been  Treafurer,  from  the  firft  Conftitution 
of  the  Company  in  the  Year  1606,  till  Jpril  28,  1619; 
and  in  that  time,  there  had  paffed  through  his  Hands  about 
eighty  thoufand  Pounds,  He  had,  in  thofe  Days,  a  very 
great  Intereft  and  Sway  in  the  Company  ;  and  to  put  the 
beft  Conflruftion  upon  the  Matter,  he  never  expected  to 
be  called  to  a  ftri<Sl  and  rigorous  Account,  and  his  Servants 
had  been  very  carelefs  and  remifs,  in  keeping  his  Books. 
But  feveral  of  the  Company  fufpefted,  that  he  had  embez- 
zled and  converted  much  of  the  publick  Money,  to  his 
own  private  Ufe  ;  and  were  therefore  very  eager,  to  bring 
him  to  an  Account.  Sir  Tho77ias^  on  his  Side,  was  very  fair 
in  his  Profeffions,  and  preffed,  with  much  Warmth,  the 
full  Settlement  and  finifhing  the  Affair;  offering  to  pay,  not 
only  what  fhould  appear  due  from  himfelf,  but  whatever 
Wrong  or  Damage  fhould  have  happened  to  the  Company, 
from  his  Under-Officers  or  Servants.  But  then  his  Receipts 
were  fo  very  faulty  and  deficient,  and  his  Difburfements  fo 
void  of  all  Warrant  and  proper  Vouchers,  that  the  Com- 
pany's Auditors,  although  they  took  much  Pains,  could 
bring  nothing  to  a  Head  ;  and  the  whole  only  ferved,  to 
adminifter  frefh  Fuel  to  Animofities  and  Quarrels,  without 
any  Profpe6l  of  coming  to  a  fatisfa£lory  Conclufion. 

As  to  Captain  Argall.,  altho'  he  was  under  Profecution 
from  the  Company,  yet  by  his  Craft  and  Management,  by 
the  Power  and  Influence  of  his  Friends,  by  his  fliifting  and 
turning,  and  by  going  on  the  Expedition  againff  the  Alge- 
rines.,  he  fo  fhufHed  and  perplexed  the  Company,  that  he 
at  lafl  efcaped,  without  any  Punifhment  or  Reftitution  at  all. 
And  altho'  Sir  Thotnas  Smithy  overpowered  with  the  Juffice 
and  Neceflity  of  the  thing,  had  firft  commenced  the  Profe- 
cution againff  him,  yet  being  now  Fellow-Sufferers,  and 
equally  aggrieved  at  the  prefent  upright  and  vigorous  Ad- 
miniflration  of  the  Company's  Affairs,  they  joined  Forces, 
and  did  every  thing  in  their  Power,  to  difgrace,  and  vilify, 
and  retard  the  Succefs  of  the  Enterprife.  The  principal 
Perfons  of  their  Faftion  were,  the  Earl  of  JFarwick  ;  Sir 
Nathaniel  Rich.,  the  Earl's  Brother  ;  Sir  Thomas  Wroth.,  who 
was  nearly  allied  to  them  by  Marriage  ;  Sir  John  Woljhn- 
hohne.,  a  wealthy  Merchant  and  a  Farmer  of  the  Cufloms  ; 
with  Alderman  John/on.^  Mr.  Canning.,  and  Mr.   Ejjington., 

three 


Book  IV.     rhe   History    of   VIRGINIA.  187 

three  fa6lious  Citizens,  and  others  of  lefs  Note,  to  the  ^620. 
Number  of  twenty  fix  in  the  whole,  when  their  Fa6lion  *"~~v-^-^ 
was  ftrongeft  ;  a  very  inconfiderable  Party,  had  they  not  ^^  George 
gained  the  Ear  and  Support  of  a  weak  King,  who  had  a  Governor, 
wonderful  Infl:in6land  Propenfity  to  the  wrong  Side  of  every 
Queftion,  and  with  much  Formality  of  Wifdom  and  Learn- 
ing, for  ever  miftook  the  true  Intereft  of  himfelf  and  his 
Subjects.  On  the  other  Side  appeared  the  Earl  of  Southamp- 
ton^ the  Earl  of  Dorfet^  the  Earl  of  DevonJJnre^  the  Vif- 
count  Doncafler^  Lord  Cavendijh^  Lord  Sheffield^  Lord 
Paget^  Sir  Edward  Sackvil^  Sir  Dudley  Digges^  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys^  Sir  yohn  Davers^  Sir  Sarnuel  Sandys^  with  a  long 
Roll  of  others,  and  in  fhort,  the  whole  Body  of  Adventu- 
rers in  general,  which  confifted  of  near  fifty  Noblemen,  fome 
hundreds  of  Knights,.,and  many  hundreds  of  Gentlemen, 
eminent  Merchants,  and  Citizens,  to  the  full  Amount  of 
a  thoufand  Perfons  in  all.  But  none  a6led  in  the  Support  of 
Truth  and  Juftice,  with  greater  Spirit  and  Vigor,  than  the 
Lord  Cavendi/)]^  afterwards  Earl  of  Devonflnre^  and  Sir 
Edward  Sackvil.  The  former  was  a  young  Nobleman  of 
much  Generofity,  Spirit,  and  Eloquence  ;  and  he  fucceeded 
Sir  Thomas  Smithy  in  the  Place  of  Governor  to  the  So?ner- 
IJlands  Company.  The  latter,  who  afterwards  became 
Earl  of  Dorfet^  was  the  Perfon  of  the  greateft  Fame  in  that 
Age,  for  a  facetious  Vivacity,  fparkling  Wit,  and  undaunt- 
ed Courage,  joined  to  a  found  and  comprehenfive  Under- 
ftanding,  and  an  excellent  Turn  for  Bufinefs.  He  was  one 
of  the  firft,  that  raifed  the  Reputation  of  the  Dorfet  Family, 
for  Wit  and  Exa6fnefs  of  Tafte  and  Difcernment  ;  but  is 
beft  known  to  common  Readers,  for  his  Duel  with  Lord 
Bruce^  which  is  related  in  my  Lord  Clarendon  and  the  Guar- 
dian, Books  defervedly  popular  and  in  the  Hands  of  every 
Body.  And  as  he  appeared  thus  early  in  the  Caufe  of  the 
Colony  (for  fuch  is  it  owned  to  be  by  our  Aflemblies  of  thofe 
times)  fo  did  he  continue,  to  the  laft,  a  conllant  Friend  and 
Favourer  of  Virghiia. 

As  Sir  George  Teardley  had  exprefled  his  Defire  to  leave  1621. 
the  Government,  at  the  Expiration  of  his  Commiffion, 
which  would  be  in  the  November  following,  the  Earl  of 
Southampton  recommended  to  the  Company  the  Confidera- 
tion  of  a  proper  Perfon,  to  fucceed  him.  His  Lordfhip  pro- 
pofed  to  their  Choice  Sir  Francis  Wyat^  a  young  Gentleman, 
thought  every  way  fufEcient  and  equal  to  the  Place,  and 
highly  efteemed,  as  he  faid,  on  Account  of  his  Birth,  Edu- 
cation, Integrity  of  Life,  and  fair  Fortune,  However,  he 
earnelfly  preffed  on  the  Company  the  Nomination  ot  fuch 
other  Perfon  or  Perfons,  as  they   (hould   think   proper,  to 

ftand 


"The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

ftand  in  Eledlion  with  him.  But  no  other  being  fo  much 
as  named,  Sir  Francis  Wyat  was  chofen  Governor,  to  take 
Sir  George  j^jg  Place  at  the  Expiration  of  Sir  George  Teardley^s,  Com- 
Governor  "Tii^ori?  ^^^  iiot  before.  And  to  do  him  the  greater  Grace 
and  Honour,  as  well  as  the  better  to  enable  and  encourage 
him  in  the  Execution  of  his  Office,  they  ele£led  him  one 
of  his  Majefty's  Council  in  England  for  Virginia.  They 
alfo  allowed  him  two  hundred  Pounds,  for  all  neceflary 
Provifions  for  his  Voyage,  with  the  free  tranfport  of  him- 
felf  and  Attendants,  provided  they  did  not  exceed  the  Num- 
ber of  twenty  Perfons. 

Dr.  Lazvrence  Bohun^  who  had  left  Virginia  in  the  Year 
i6ii,  with  the  Lord  Delawarr^  had  now  obtained  a  large 
Grant  of  Land,  for  the  Tranfportation  of  three  hundred 
Perfons.  He  was  alfo  appointed  the  Company's  Phyfician- 
General  to  the  Colony,  with  the  Allowance  of  five  hundred 
Acres  of  Land  and  twenty  Tenants  ;  under  Covenant,  to 
maintain  and  make  them  good,  from  time  to  time,  and  at 
his  Deceafe,  or  other  Removal,  to  leave  the  like  Number 
of  Men  and  Stock  of  Cattle,  as  was  allowed  by  the  Compa- 
ny, and  by  them  annexed  to  the  Place.  He  accordingly  fet 
fail,  in  the  Beginning  of  February^  with  eighty  Paflengers, 
in  a  Ship  of  an  hundred  and  fixty  Tons  and  eight  Iron  Guns 
and  a  Falcon,  commanded  by  Captain  Anthony  Chejier. 
But  about  the  Middle  oi  March ^  they  were  attacked,  near 
Nevis  in  the  JVe/i-Indies^  by  two  Spanijh  Men  of  War,  of 
three  hundred  Tons  and  fixteen  or  twenty  Brafs  Cannon 
apeice.  The  Fight  was  fharp  and  defperate  ;  but  the  En- 
gUfi  fo  beftowed  their  Shot,  and  managed  the  Engagement 
with  fuch  Dexterity  and  Braverv,  that  the  Spaniards  were 
glad  to  ftand  aloof,  and  after  following  them  a  Day  or  two, 
without  any  other  remarkable  Annoyance,  at  laft  fell  aftern, 
and  left  them.  There  was  made  a  very  great  Slaughter  of 
the  Spaniards^  fo  that  their  Scupples  ran  with  Blood  ;  and 
the  Captain  of  the  Admiral-Ship,  who  a6led  the  Part  of  a 
brave  Commander,  was  flain.  On  the  Englijh  Side,  ten 
were  killed  ;  among  whom  was  Dr.  Bohun^  whofe  Death 
was  greatly  lamented.  He  had  ftudied  long  among  the 
learned  Phyficians  of  the  Low- Countries^  and  behaved  him- 
felf  in  this  Battle,  like  a  worthy  and  valiant  Gentleman. 
In  his  Room,  Mr.  John  Pot  was  ele6led,  by  the  Company, 
Phyfician-General  to  the  Colony.  He  was  recommended 
by  Dr.  Guljione^  an  eminent  Member  of  their  Society,  as 
a  Mafter  of  Arts,  well  practiced  in  Chirurgery  and  Phvfic, 
and  expert  in  Chymical  Proceffes  and  other  ingenious  Parts 
of  his  Profeflion  ;  whofe  Service,  he  therefore  conceived, 
would  be  of  great  Ufe  to  the  Colony.      He  was  accordingly 

;.  fent, 


Book  IV.      'The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  189 

fent,  upon  the  fame  Foot,  as  Dr.  Bohun;  and  was  allowed      1621. 
his  own,  his  Wife's,  and  two  Servants  Paffages.      Dr.  Gul-'       v      ^ 
Jione  was  likewife  defired,  to  buy  a  Cheft  of  Phyfic  of  twen-  ^^^J^^°"^' 
ty  Pounds  Value,  and  ten  Pounds  of  Books,  proper  for  the  Governor. 
ProfefBon,  which  fliould  always  belong  to  the  Place. 

Captain   Willlmn  Newce  offered,  to  tranfport  and  fet- 
tle a  thoufand   Perfons   in   Virginia^  by  Midfummer,  1625; 
and  defired  to  be  appointed  their  General,  and  to  have  a 
Patent,  with  that  Proportion  of  Land,  and  fuch   other  Pri- 
vileges, as  were  ufually  granted  on  the  like  Occafion.      A 
Patent  was  readily  granted,  in  the  largeft  and   moft  ample 
Manner.      But  as  to  the  Title  and  Command  of  General, 
they  refufed  to  grant  it  him  ;  becaufe  it  was  a  Power,  pro- 
perly belonging   to   the   Governor   only.      Befides,  it   gave 
fuch  an  Independency,. -as  was  deftru£live  of  all  Order  and 
good  Government ;  and  had  therefore  been  loudly  cried  out 
againft,  in   Captain  Martin's,  extravagant   Patent,  and  in  a 
Grant  furreptitioufly  and  illegally  obtained  by  Captain  Jr- 
gall^  and  therefore  exprefly  flopped,  by  the  Company's  Or- 
ders to  the  Governor  in  Virginia.      But  Captain  Newce  far- 
ther  requefted,  in   order   to   enable   him   the   better   to   go 
through  the  Charge  of  fo  great  an  Undertaking,  to  be  ap- 
pointed Marftial  of  Virginia  ;  for  which  Poft  he  was  emi- 
nently qualified,  having  ever  been  exercifed  in  military  Af- 
fairs and  Arms,  and  of  noted  Experience  and  Skill  in  Martial 
Difcipline  ;  as  appeared  by  his  many  Services  in  Ireland.,  and 
by  the  Teftimony  of  divers  honourable  Perfons,  upon  their 
own  Knowledge.      He  was  therefore  conftituted  Marftial  of 
Virginia ;   to  take  into  his   Charge,  as  well   the   Fortifica- 
tions, Arms,  and   Forces  of  the   Colony,   as  to   caufe   the 
People,  to  be  duly  trained  up  in  Military  Difcipline,  and  to 
the  Ufe  and  Exercife  of  Arms.      And  they  annexed  fifteen 
hundred  Acres  of  Land  and  fifty  Tenants  to  the  Place,  to 
be   tranfported  and   furniflied   by  himfelf,  at  eight   Pounds 
Charge  to  the  Company  a  Man.     And  the  King  alfo,  being 
highly  pleafed  at  the  Nomination  of  this  Gentleman,  con- 
ferred the  Honour  of  Knighthood  upon  him  ;   calling  him 
his  Knight-Marflial  of  Virginia.,  and  exprefling  great  Hopes 
from  the  Management  of  a  Perfon  of  his  acknowledged  Ca- 
pacity and  Skill.      However,  he  did  not  long  furvive  his  Ar- 
rival in  Virginia  ;  but  died,  two  Days  after  the  reading  his 
Patent  and  CommiiTion. 

There  was,  at  this  time,  above  a  thoufand  Pounds, 
due  in  Virginia  to  the  Company,  for  Rents  and  Duties  \ 
and  they  were  likewife  greatly  fcandalifed  and  offended,  to 
find  their  frequent  and  prefling  Orders,  for  raifing  good  and 
ftaple  Commodities,  entirely  flighted  and  negle6ted.     It  was 

therefore 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

therefore  thought  neceflarv,  to  appoint  a  particular  Officer, 
by  the  Name  of  Treafurer  ;  who  fhould  have  the  Charge, 
Sir  George  j^qj.  qj^j^  ^f  their  Rents  and  Duties,  but  fliould  alfo  take 
Governor  ^^^°  ^^^  more  efpecial  Regard  and  Care,  to  fee  all  Orders 
and  Dire6tions,  fent  from  England^  duly  and  faithfully  exe- 
cuted, from  time  to  time  ;  or  otherwife  to  render  a  fuffici- 
ent  Reafon  to  the  contrary.  To  this  Office  Mr.  George 
Sandys^  the  noted  Poet  and  Traveller  was  unanimoufly 
ele6led,  as  a  Perfon  every  way  fit,  on  Account  of  his  Abi- 
lity and  Integrity.  And  they  likewife  allotted  fifteen  hun- 
dred Acres  of  Land,  perpetually  to  belong  to  the  faid  Place 
of  Treafurer,  with  fifty  Tenants  thereon ;  and  allowed 
Mr.  Sandys  an  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds,  to  furnifh  himfelf 
for  the  Voyage,  with  the  free  PafTage  of  his  Family,  not 
exceeding  the  Number  of  ten  Perfons.  And  it  was  thought 
proper,  that  two  fuch  eminent  Officers  as  Marfhal  and 
Treafurer,  to  which  Places  fuch  worthy  Gentlemen  had 
been  preferred,  fhould  be  admitted  of  his  Majefty's  Coun- 
cil in  England^  and  appointed  of  the  Council  of  State  in 
Virginia. 

Soon  after,  Mr.  Richard  Norwood.,  a  Man  famous,  in 
thofe  Days,  as  a  A4athematician,  who  had  laid  ofi^  the 
Tribes  and  Lands,  and  made  an  exa6l  Plot  of  the  Iflands 
of  Bermudas.,  was  recommended  to  the  Company  for  Sur- 
veyor of  Virginia^  and  was  accordingly  elected  to  the  Place. 
But  I  know  not,  how  the  Change  came  to  be  made,  yet  I 
find,  very  foon  after,  Mr.  William  Clayborne  appointed  and 
fent  Surveyor.  The  Company  allowed  him  thirty  Pounds 
a  Year  and  a  convenient  Houfe,  for  his  publick  Service  in 
laying  off  their  Lands  ;  with  twenty  Pounds  paid  in  Hand, 
to  furnifh  himfelf  with  Inftruments  and  Books,  which  he 
was  obliged  to  leave  to  his  SuccefTors.  They  likewife  al- 
lowed him  the  Tranfport  of  three  Perfons,  and  gave  him 
two  hundred  Acres  of  Land  in  Fee-fimple  ;  and  in  cafe  he 
was  emploved  in  any  private  Survey,  he  was  to  receive  fix 
Shillings  a  Day,  and  to  be  found  in  Diet  and  Lodging. 

M  R  .  Pory's  Commiffion  of  Secretary  was  to  determine,  at 
the  fame  Time,  as  Sir  George  Teardky's.  He  had  given  the 
Company  little  Satisfa6lion  in  that  Office,  but  had  been 
plainly  dete6led,  although  a  fworn  Officer,  of  betraying 
the  Proceedings,  and  fecretly  conveying  the  Proofs,  againft 
Captain  Jrgall.,  to  the  Earl  of  JVarzuick.  And  as  he  was 
befides  known,  to  be  a  profeffed  Tool  and  Inftrument  to 
that  Faction,  the  Company  was  at  no  Lofs  or  Hefitation, 
about  renewing  his  Commiffion.  But  four  Gentlemen  be- 
ing flrongly  recommended  to  them,  as  fully  qualified  for 
that  Pofl,  in  Point  of  Learning,  Honefly,  and  Experience, 

they 


Book  IV.    rke   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

they  made  Choice  of  Mr.  Chrijlopher  Davifon^  and  ad- 
mitted him  a  free  Brother  of  the  Company,  and  one  of  the 
Council  of  State  in  Virginia.  And  as  the  Company's  ^"'  ^'^"^g'^ 
Ships  were  often  delayed  in  the  Country,  through  Neg- Qj^'^'^^.j^-^J. 
ligence  and  Mifmanagement,  it  was  refolved,  to  appoint 
an  Officer,  by  the  Title  of  Vice-Admiral,  who  ftiould 
take  into  his  Charge  the  Care  and  Difpatch  of  them. 
Mr.  yohn  Pountis  therefore,  one  of  the  Council,  who 
had  deferved  well  of  both  the  Company  and  Colony, 
was,  this  Summer,  appointed  to  that  Place  provifionally, 
and  afterwards  confirmed  bv  the  Quarter  Court  in  Novem- 
ber^ with  the  Allowance  of  three  hundred  Acres  of  Land 
and  twelve  Tenants. 

The  late  large  Tranfportations  of  People,  the  furnifh- 
ing  and  fitting  out  the.jjew  Governor  and  thefe  other  Offi- 
cers, with  the  vafl:  Charge  of  providing  them  with  Tenants 
and  Servants,  and  other  needful  and  well-defigned  Expences, 
did  fo  entirely  exhauft  the  publick  Treafury  of  the  Compa- 
ny, that  it  never  afterwards  recovered  itfelf  to  any  tolerable 
Degree  of  Affluence  or  Wealth.  And  befides,  the  Lotte- 
ries were  now  at  an  End,  which  were  the  only  Means  of 
raifing  a  Fund  again,  and  which  alone  had  brought  twenty 
nine  thoufand  Pounds  Sterling  into  the  Company's  Stock. 
Wherefore  Mr.  S?nith  obferved  to  them,  that  the  Lotteries, 
which  had  thus  far  fupplied  the  real  and  fubftantial  Food, 
by  which  Virginia  had  been  nourifhed,  did  now  no  longer 
fubfift.  To  the  End  therefore,  that  fhe  might  ftill  be  pre- 
ferved,  by  divulging  Fame  and  good  Report,  he  propofed, 
in  the  Name  of  himfelf  and  many  others  of  the  Society, 
to  have  a  fair  and  perfpicuous  Hiftory  compiled  of  the  Coun- 
try, from  the  firfl:  Difcovery  to  that  Time  ;  wherein  the 
Memory  and  Deferts  of  many  of  her  worthy  Undertakers, 
as  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.,  Sir  George  Somers.,  the  Lord  Dela- 
warr..  Sir  Thomas  Dale.,  and  Sir  Thomas  Gates  (for  both 
thofe  Knights,  after  their  Return  from  Virginia.,  had  gone 
to  the  Eaji-Indies.,  and  there  died)  together  with  divers 
others  then  living,  might  be  commended  to  eternal  Thank- 
fulnefs.  He  regretted  their  prefent  Inability,  in  having  no 
other  Coin,  wherewith  to  recompence  the  great  Pains  and 
Merit  of  the  well-deferving.  But  he  affirmed,  that  the  beft 
planted  Parts  of  America.,  under  the  Spanijh  Government, 
at  the  like  Age,  afforded  not  better  Matter  of  Relation, 
than  Virginia  then  did.  And  he  faid,  that  the  EfFecSt,  which 
fuch  a  general  Hiflory,  deduced  to  the  Life,  would  have, 
throughout  the  Kingdom,  on  the  popular  Opinion  of  the 
common  Subje6l,  might  be  gathered,  from  the  Succefs  of 
the  little  Pamphlets  or  Declarations,  lately  publiflied.     And 

he 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

he  further  urged  the  immediate  Performance  thereof,  be- 

caufe  a  few  Years  'would    confume    the    Lives  of  many, 

Sir  George  ^hofe    Mcmorics    retained    much,  and  might    alfo    devour 

Gov'ernor    *^hofe  Letters  and  InteUigences,  which  yet  remained  in  loofe 

and  neglefted  Papers. 

This  Speech  was  received  by  the  whole  Court,  with 
very  great  Applaufe,  as  fpoken  freely,  and  to  an  excellent 
Purpofe  ;  and  it  was  refolved,  to  have  it  confidered,  and 
put  in  Practice,  in  due  Time.  Mr.  Smith  was  alfo  exceed- 
ingly commended,  as  well  for  this,  as  for  always  preferring 
Motions  of  efpecial  Confequence.  And  it  was  from  this 
Motion,  I  fuppofe,  that  Captain  Smith  was  requefted,  in 
the  Company's  Name,  to  write  his  Hiftory  of  Virgitiia ; 
as  he  himfelf  tells  us, />.  i68.  However  the  Captain's  De- 
ferts  feem  not,  about  this  Time,  to  have  been  fully  under- 
ftood  or  regarded.  For  I  find  him,  foon  after,  preferring 
a  Petition  to  the  Company,  fetting  forth  ;  That  he  had 
not  only  adventured  Money,  but  had  alfo  twice  built  James- 
Toivn^  and  four  other  Plantations  ;  and  had  difcovered  the 
Country,  and  relieved  the  Colony,  three  Years  together, 
with  fuch  Provifions,  as  he  got  from  the  Savages,  with  great 
Peril  and  Hazard  of  his  Life  ;  and  therefore  he  defired,  in 
Confideration  thereof,  that  the  Company  would  be  pleafed 
to  reward  him,  either  out  of  their  Treafury  at  home,  or 
their  Profits  in  Virginia.  And  certainly,  confidering  his 
many  great  and  extraordinary  Services,  he  was  highly  wor- 
thy their  Regard.  But  the  Court  referred  him  to  the  Com- 
mittee, appointed  for  rewarding  Men  upon  Merit ;  and  from 
whatever  Caufe  it  happened,  I  find  nothing  farther  done 
in  the  Matter.  So  that  he,  with  a  Fate  very  ufual  to  pub- 
lick  Spirits,  had  Reafon  to  complain,  that  every  Shilling, 
which  he  had  gained  by  thefe  Enterprizes,  had  coft  him  a 
Pound  ;  and  that  what  he  had  got,  in  fome  fuccefsful  Cam 
paigns  at  War,  had  been  chearfully  fpent  on  Virginia  and 
New-England.^  for  the  publick  Good.  Yet  he  begrudges 
it  not,  but  fhould  think  himfelf  happy,  to  fee  their  Prof- 
perity  and  Advancement. 

At  the  Court  of  Ele6lion,  the  Earl  of  Southampton  was 
again  chofen  Treafurer  for  the  enfuing  Year,  with  an  una- 
nimous Voice.  His  Lordfhip  was  then  abfent,  having  been 
long  detained,  that  Day,  in  Parliament.  But  at  his  coming 
to  Court,  he  was  pleafed  to  accept  the  Place,  in  a  very  no- 
ble Manner  ;  and  he  had  the  hearty  Thanks  of  the  whole 
Court  returned  him,  for  his  honourable  Care  and  Pains, 
ever  fince  his  Entrance  into  that  Place  of  Government,  to 
uphold  and  advance  the  Plantation.  And  at  his  Lordfliip's 
Requeft,  Mr.  "John  Farrar^  of  whofe  Fidelity  and  Suffi- 
ciency 


Book  IV.      The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

ciency  they  already  had  fo  much  Experience,  was  moft  wil- 
Hngly  continued  in  his  Office  of  Deputy. 

The  Earl  of  Warwick  was  highly  offended  at  Sir  George^^'^  George 
Teardley^  for  intercepting  a  Pacquet  of  Letters,  and  difco-  Governor 
vering  the  Correfpondence  between  Secretary  Pory  and 
himfelf.  He  therefore  loudly  declared  his  Difpleafure,  and 
took  all  poffible  Methods  to  daunt  and  difcourage  him,  from 
proceeding  vigorouflv  in  JrgaWs  Profecution.  To  this  End, 
he  caufed  it  to  be  rumoured  over  all  Virginia^  even  to  Ope- 
chancanoiigh^  and  had  it  confirmed  by  Letters  from  England^ 
that  he  himfelf  was  coming  over  fhortly,  in  Perfon,  to  be 
their  Governor,  with  Captain  Argall  for  his  Pilot ;  and  that 
then  he  would  call  Sir  George  Teardly  feverely  into  Queftion, 
for  his  own  Government,  and  would  take  a  fharp  and  full 
Revenge.  Thele  Reports  much  weakened  the  Strength  and 
Authority  of  the  Government ;  and  they  likewife  fo  afFe61:ed 
Sir  George  Teardley^  a  Man  of  a  meek  and  gentle  Nature, 
and  threw  him  into  fuch  a  Deje6lion  of  Spirit,  that  he  fell 
into  a  long  and  languifhing  Sicknefs,  to  the  general  Hurt 
and  Negle6l  of  the  publick  Bufinefs,  as  well  as  Captain  Ar- 
gairs  Affair  in  particular. 

The  Company  alfo,  this  Year,  entertained  fome  Pro- 
jeils  for  producing  ufeful  Commodities  ;  and  as  three  of  the 
Mafter  Workmen  of  their  Iron  Works  were  dead,  they 
fent  over  Mr.  yohn  Berkeley^  and  Maurice^  his  Son,  who 
were  commended,  as  very  fkilful  in  that  Way,  with  twenty 
other  experienced  Workmen.  They  likewife  ordered  a 
Bill  to  be  prepared  for  the  Parliament,  for  fending  over  the 
Poor,  which  were  now  become  very  numerous  and  burthen- 
fome  to  the  feveral  Pariflies,  to  be  fet  to  work,  and  ufefully 
employed,  in  Firginia.  Sir  George  Teardley  complained, 
that  the  Council  of  State  lived  very  diftant  and  difperfed  ; 
and  having  no  Allowance  for  their  Attendance,  could  fcarce 
be  got  together.  Whereupon  the  Company  ordered,  that 
the  Council  fhould  meet,  four  times  a  Year,  and  fhould 
hold  Quarter  Seffions,  a  whole  Week  together ;  to  affift 
the  Governor,  from  time  to  time,  as  well  in  Matter  of 
Counfel  and  of  State,  as  in  all  Caufes  of  Importance,  and 
for  Redrefs  of  general  and  particular  Grievances.  And  that 
their  Number  might  make  their  Meetings  the  more  eafy, 
befides  the  feven,  laft  Year  appointed,  and  the  new  Officers 
of  State,  now  going  over,  they  alfo  added,  in  the  Room  of 
Dr.  Bohun  and  two  others,  that  were  dead,  Mr.  Pot^  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Paivlet^  Captain  Roger  Smith^znd  Mr.  Leech. 
This  laft  Gentleman  was  going  over,  to  view  the  Country, 
and  to  pitch  upon  a  proper  Place  of  Settlement,  for  the  fa- 
mous and  munificent  William  Earl  of  Pembroke  ;  who  had 
'■'  O  under- 


rhe   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

undertaken,  with  his  AfTociates,  to  plant  thirty  thoufand 
Acres  of  Land,  and  confequently  to  tranfport  fix  hundred 

rL?2'^'   Perfons. 

Governor.  The  latter  End  of  y«/)',  or  Beginning  of  Auguft^  Sir 
Francis  Wyat  fet  out  for  his  Government,  with  the  Trea- 
furer,  Secretary,  Phyfician-General,  and  Surveyor,  in  Com- 
pany with  nine  Sail  of  Ships  ;  all  which  arrived  fafe  in  Vir- 
ginia^ about  OSiober^  without  the  Lofs  of  one  fingle  Paf- 
fenger.  With  him,  was  fent  a  Body  of  Inftruclions  to  the 
Governor,  for  the  time  being,  and  the  Council  of  State  in 
Virginia  \  confifting  of  forty  feven  Articles,  and  figned  by 
the  Earl  of  Southampton^  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  Sir  "John  Da- 
vers^  and  others  of  the  Council.  In  thefe,  it  was  firft  re- 
commended to  them,  to  take  into  their  efpecial  Regard  the 
Service  of  Almighty  God,  and  the  Obfervance  of  his  divine 
Laws  ;  and  that  the  People  fhould  be  trained  up,  in  true 
Religion  and  Virtue.  And  fmce  their  Endeavours,  for  the 
Eftablifhment  of  the  Honour  and  Rights  of  the  Church  and 
Miniftry,  had  not  yet  taken  due  EfFeft,  they  were  required, 
to  employ  their  utmoft  Care,  to  advance  all  things  apper- 
taining to  the  Order  and  Adminiftration  of  Divine  Service, 
according  to  the  Form  and  Difcipline  of  the  Church  of 
England;  carefully  to  avoid  all  factious  and  needlefs  Novel- 
ties, which  only  tended  to  the  Difturbance  of  Peace  and 
Unity  ;  and  to  caufe,  that  the  Minifters  fhould  be  duly  re- 
fpedled  and  maintained,  and  the  Churches,  or  Places  ap- 
pointed for  Divine  Service,  decently  accommodated,  ac- 
cording to  former  Orders  in  that  Behalf.  They  were,  in 
the  next  Place,  commanded,  to  keep  the  People  in  due 
Obedience  to  the  King  ;  to  provide,  that  Juftice  might  be 
equally  adminiftered  to  all,  as  near  as  could  be,  according 
to  the  Forms  and  Conftitution  of  England  \  to  prevent  all 
Corruption,  tending  to  the  Perverfion  or  Delay  of  Juftice  ; 
to  protect  the  Natives,  from  Injury  and  Oppreflion  ;  and  to 
cultivate  Peace  and  Friendfhip  with  them,  as  far  as  it  fhould 
be  confident  with  the  Honour  of  the  Nation  and  Safety  of 
the  People.  They  were  likewife  required,  to  make  the 
People  apply  themfelves  to  an  indultrious  Way  of  Lite  ; 
and  to  fupprefs  all  Gaming,  Drunkennefs,  and  Excefs  in 
Apparel.  To  this  End  it  was  ordained,  that  no  Perfon, 
except  the  Council,  or  the  Heads  of  Hundreds  and  Planta- 
tions, with  their  Wives  and  Children,  {hould  wear  Gold 
on  their  Cloaths,  or  any  Apparel  of  Silk,  except  fuch  as 
had  been  raifed  by  their  own  Induftry.  But  the  Governor 
and  Council  anfwered  to  this,  that  they  knew  of  no  Excefs 
in  Apparel,  except  in  the  Price  of  it ;  and  had  it  not  come 
from  them,  they  fhould  have  thought  it  a  Flout  upon  the 
Colony,  for  their  Poverty  and  Nakednels.  They 


Book  IV.     "The   History    of  VIRGINIA. 

They  were  alfo  enjoined,  to  ufe  great  Care,  that  no 
juft  Caufe  of  Offence  be  given  to  any  other  Prince,  State,  or 
People;  to  permit  no  Captain,  or  other  Perfon,  under  Pre-^''  ^jjf 
tence  of  Trade,  to  fail  to  the  Wejl-Ind'ies^  to  rob  and  fpoil  ;  Governor. 
not  to  give  Harbour  or  Refuge,  on  the  Coafts  or  in  the 
Country,  to  any  Pirates  or  Banditti,  but  feverely  to  profe- 
cute  and  punifli  them  ;  and  to  take  better  Care,  for  proper 
and  effe6lual  Fortifications.  They  further  preffed  upon 
them,  in  a  particular  Manner,  the  ufing  all  probable  Means 
of  bringing  over  the  Natives,  to  a  Love  of  Civility,  and  to 
the  Knowledge  of  God,  and  his  true  Religion.  To  which 
Purpofe,  they  obferved  to  them,  that  the  Example,  given 
by  the  Englijh  in  their  own  Perfons  and  Families,  would  be 
of  fingular  and  chief  Moment :  That  it  would  be  proper, 
to  draw  the  beft  difpo'ied  among  the  Indians^  to  converfe 
and  labour  with  our  People,  for  a  convenient  Reward  ;  that 
thereby,  being  reconciled  to  a  civil  Way  of  Life,  and 
brought  to  a  Senfe  of  God  and  Religion,  they  might  after- 
wards become  Inftruments  in  the  general  Converfion  of  their 
Countrymen,  fo  much  defired :  That  each  Town,  Bur- 
rough,  and  Hundred,  ought  to  procure,  by  juft  Means,  a 
certain  Number  of  their  Children,  to  be  brought  up  in  the 
firft  Elements  of  Litterature  :  That  the  moft  towardly  of 
thefe  {hould  be  fitted  for  the  College  ;  in  building  of  which, 
they  purpofed  to  proceed,  as  foon  as  any  Profit  arofe  from 
the  Eftate,  appropriated  to  that  Ufe ;  and  they  earneftly 
required  their  utmoft  Help  and  Furtherance,  in  that  pious 
and  important  Work  ;  not  doubting  the  particular  Bleffing 
of  God  upon  the  Colony,  and  being  aflured  of  the  Love  of 
all  good  Men,  upon  that  Account. 

They  next  proceeded  to  give  Inftru6lions,  for  the 
Reception  and  Accommodation  of  the  new  Governor, 
and  of  the  other  Officers  and  People,  then  fent.  And 
they  preffed  upon  them  the  raifing  feveral  ufeful  Com- 
modities ;  as  well  Corn,  Wine,  Silk,  and  others  here- 
tofore frequently  mentioned,  as  alfo  the  making  Oil  of 
Walnuts,  employing  their  Apothecaries  in  Diftillation,  and 
fearching  the  Country  for  Minerals,  Dyes,  Gums,  Drugs, 
and  the  like.  And  they  ordered  them  particularly,  by  the 
King's  Advice  and  Defire,  to  draw  the  People  off  of  their 
exceffive  planting  of  Tobacco.  To  that  End,  they  were 
commanded  to  permit  them,  to  make  only  an  hundred 
Pounds  of  Tobacco  a  Head  ;  and  to  take  all  poffible  Care, 
to.  improve  that  Proportion  in  Goodnefs,  as  much  as  might 
be,  which  would  bring  their  Commodity  into  Requeft,  and 
caufe  a  more  certain  Benefit  to  the  Planter.  They  likewife 
added  many  other  ^dvices  and  Inftrudtions,  for  the  Admini- 

O  2  ftration 


196  The   History   of    VIRGINIA.     Book  IV 

1621.     ftration  of  Juftice,  the  good   Government,  and   happy  Ad- 

' ^/^""^  vancement  of  the  Colony. 

^r  George  J  j^  Q^^^  q£  ^j^^  Death,  Removal,  or  Sufpenfion  of  the 
Governor.  Govemor,  the  Council,  or  major  Part  of  them,  then  refi- 
dent  in  Virginia^  were  ordered,  immediately  to  affemble 
themfelves,  within  fourteen  Days,  or  fooner,  and  out  of 
their  own  Body,  to  eleft  a  Perfon,  to  fupply  the  Place,  for 
the  Time.  But  if  the  Voices  fhould  happen  to  be  equal, 
then  Eleftion  was  to  be  made  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor  ; 
and  in  his  Abfence,  or  neceflary  Caufe  of  declining  it,  the 
Marfhal  fhould  fuccced  ;  next,  the  Treafurer ;  and  then 
one  of  the  two  Deputies,  for  the  College  and  Company's 
Lands  ;  till  the  Government  {hould  be  fettled  in  one  of  thofe 
chief  Officers.  And  the  Governor  was  authorifed,  to  de- 
termine and  punifh,  at  his  Difcretion,  any  fudden  and  emer- 
gent Bufinefs,  and  all  Negle6t  or  Contempt  of  Authority, 
in  any  Kind  or  Perfon  whatfoever  ;  except  only  the  Coun- 
cil in  their  own  Perfons,  who  were,  in  fuch  Cafes,  to  be 
fummoned  to  appear,  at  the  next  Quarter  Seflion  of  the 
Council,  and  there  to  abide  their  Cenfure.  But  if  the  Go- 
vernor thought,  it  concerned  the  Peace  and  Welfare  of  the 
Colony,  to  proceed  more  fpeedily  with  fuch  Offender,  that 
then  it  fhould  be  lawful  for  him,  to  fummon  an  extraordi- 
nary Council,  at  which  fix  of  the  Council,  at  leaft,  fhould 
be  prefent  with  the  Governor  ;  and  by  Majority  of  Voices, 
any  Counfellor  might  be  committed,  or  obliged  to  give  Bail 
for  his  Appearance. 

Sir  Francis  IVyat  alfo  brought  over  with  him  an  Ordi- 
nance or  Charter,  from  the  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Com- 
pany in  England^  for  fettling  the  Conftitution  and  Govern- 
ment of  Virginia^  in  the  Governor,  the  Council  of  State, 
as  his  Affiflants,  and  the  General  AfTembly.  This  AfTem- 
bly  was  to  confifl  of  the  Governor,  Council  of  State,  and 
two  Burgeffes,  chofen  by  every  Town,  Hundred,  or  par- 
ticular Plantation.  All  Matters  were  to  be  decided,  deter- 
mined, and  ordered  in  it,  by  the  Majority  of  Voices,  then 
prefent  ;  referving  to  the  Governor  a  Negative  upon  the 
Whole,  And  they  were  empowered,  to  treat,  confult,  and 
conclude,  as  well  concerning  all  emergent  Occafions,  re- 
lating to  the  publick  Weal  of  the  faid  Colony,  and  every 
Part  thereof,  as  alfo  to  make,  ordain,  and  ena6l  fuch  gene- 
ral Laws  and  Orders,  as  fhould,  from  time  to  time,  appear 
neceffary  :  Provided  neverthelefs,  that  no  Law,  or  Ordi- 
nance, made  in  the  faid  General  Affembly,  fhould  be  of 
Force  or  Validity,  unlefs  the  fame  fhould  be  folemnly  con- 
firmed and  ratified,  in  a  General  Quarter  Court  of  the 
Company  in  England^  and  returned   under   their  Seal  :   As 

alfo. 


Book.  IV.     T:he    History    of   VIRGINIA. 

alfo,  when  this  Form  of  Government  fhould  be  once  well 
framed  and  fettled,  that  no  Orders,  of  the  Court  in  England^ 
fhould  bind  the  Colony,  before  they  were  ratified  and  con-^*''  George 
firmed,  in  like  Manner,  by  the  General  Afi'embly  in  Virgi- q""^  "^-^^ 
nia.  But  in  all  other  things,  they  were  commanded,  to 
follow  the  Policy,  Form  of  Government,  Laws,  Cuflioms, 
Manner  of  Ti'ial,  and  other  Adminiftration  of  Juflice,  ufed 
in  England. 

The  Company's  Treafury  was  fo  reduced,  that  it  could 
not  now  fuffice  for  feveral  things  of  the  utmoft  Neceflity  and 
Advantage.  Wherefore,  to  fupply  this  Deficiency,  they 
entered  into  a  Method  of  preparing  Rolls,  and  offering  them 
to  the  voluntary  Subfcription  of  the  Adventurers.  What- 
ever was  fent  to  Virginia  upon  thefe  Rolls,  was  there  fold, 
by  the  Cape-Merchant'-'or  fome  other  Factor,  at  fuch  a  mo- 
derate Price,  as  fhould  indemnify  the  Subfcribers  for  their 
Money  advanced,  and  for  all  Charges  incident  thereupon. 
At  this  time,  four  Rolls  were  prepared  and  brought  into 
Court,  for  the  Company's  Subfcription.  The  firft  was  for 
Apparel,  and  other  neceflary  Provifions  and  Utenfils,  for 
the  Colony.  The  fecond,  for  fending  an  hundred  more 
Maids,  to  make  Wives  ;  and  fixty  were  accordingly  fent, 
young,  handfome,  and  well  recommended  to  the  Company, 
for  their  virtuous  Education  and  Demeanor.  With  them 
was  fent  over  the  feveral  Recommendations  and  Teftimo- 
nials  of  their  Behaviour,  that  the  Purchafers  might  thence 
be  enabled  to  judge,  how  to  chufe.  The  Price  of  thefe 
Wives  was  ftated  at  an  hundred  and  twenty  Pounds  of  To- 
bacco, and  afterwards  advanced  to  an  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
proportionably  more,  if  any  of  them  fhould  happen  to  die  ; 
fo  that  the  Adventurers  might  be  refunded  their  original 
Charge.  And  it  was  alfo  ordered,  that  this  Debt  for  Wives 
fhould  have  the  Precedency  of  all  others,  and  be  firfl  re- 
coverable. And  it  was  ftri6tly  enjoined,  that  they  fhould 
be  well  ufed,  and  not  married  to  Servants,  but  to  fuch  Free- 
men and  Tenants,  as  could  handfomely  fupport  them  ;  that, 
by  their  good  Fortune,  Multitudes  of  others  might  be  al- 
lured to  come  over,  on  the  Profpeil  of  advantageous  Mat- 
ches. And  the  Company  likewife  declared  their  Intention, 
that,  for  the  Encouragement  of  fettled  Families,  and  fecu- 
ring  a  Poflerity,  they  would  prefer  and  make  Confignments 
to  married  Men,  before  fingle  Perfons  ;  and  that  as  many 
Boys  fhould  be  fent,  as  there  were  Maids,  to  be  'Prentices 
to  thofe  who  married  them.  They  alfo  granted  the  Ad- 
venturers, who  fubfcribed  to  this  Roll,  a  ratable  Proportion 
of  Land,  according  to  the  Number  of  the  Maids  fent,  to  be 
laid  ofF  together  and  formed  into  a  Town,  by  the  Name  of 

O  3  Maidjhwn. 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

MaidJIown.  The  third  Roll  was  for  a  Glafs  Furnace,  to 
make  Beads,  which  was  the  current  Coin  in  the  Indian 
rLSr^'  Trade  ;  and  one  Captain  Norton^  with  fome  Italian  Work- 
Governor,  nien,  was  fent  over  for  that  Purpofe.  The  fourth  was  for 
fetting  out  a  trading  Voyage  with  the  Indians^  for  Skins  and 
Furs.  For,  the  Company  was  informed  from  feveral  Hands, 
that  the  French  and  Dutch  carried  on  a  yery  profitable  Trade 
of  that  fort,  in  Delawarr  and  Hudfon\  Rivers,  which  were 
within  the  Limits  of  their  Grant,  and  then  efteemed  Parts 
of  Virginia.  They  therefore  refolved,  to  vindicate  their 
Right,  and  not  to  permit  Foreigners  to  run  away  with  fo 
lucrative  a  Branch  of  their  Trade.  One  Captain  Jones 
was  accordingly  fent  upon  the  Voyage  ;  but  by  the  Wick- 
ednefs  of  him  and  his  Mariners,  the  Adventure  was  loft, 
and  the  whole  Project  overthrown.  To  thefe  Rolls, 
the  Earl  of  Southampton  and  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  each  fub- 
fcribed  two  hundred  Pounds  ;  and  fuch  was  the  Zeal  and 
Refolution  of  the  Adventurers  to  advance  the  Colony,  that 
they  were  foon  compleated,  and  put  into  Execution.  At 
the  fame  time,  the  Company,  in  their  Letters  to  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council,  recommends  to  them  the  Prevention 
of  Fraud  and  Deceit  in  Tobacco  ;  and  that  fome  Provifion 
ftiould  be  made,  for  burning  all  bafe  and  rotten  Trafh,  and 
none  fufrered  to  go  home,  but  what  was  very  good  ;  where- 
by, they  faid,  there  would  certainly  be  more  advanced  in 
the  Price,  than  loft  in  the  Quantity. 

But  Tobacco  was,  at  this  time,  a  very  finking  Com- 
modity. For  altho'  the  Planters  magifterially  forced  it  on 
the  Company  and  others,  at  the  current  Price  of  three  Shil- 
lings a  Pound,  yet  it  would  not  turn  out  at  home,  after 
Shrinkage  and  Wafte,  and  the  Difcharge  of  the  Duty  and 
Freight,  (which  laft  alone  was  three  Pence,  and  fometimes 
four  Pence,  a  Pound)  at  above  two  Shillings  for  the  beft, 
and  the  inferior  Sort  at  fcarce  eighteen  Pence  a  Pound.  And 
befides,  the  Trade  was  ftrangely  hampered  and  perplexed, 
by  the  weak  and  unfteady  Counfels  of  the  puny  Monarch, 
then  on  the  Throne.  For  altho',  in  the  Beginning  of  the 
former  Year,  the  Company  had  yielded  to  his  unreafonable 
Demand  of  twelve  Pence  a  Pound,  yet  foon  after,  in  the 
fame  Summer,  he  iflued  a  Proclamation,  prohibiting  a  ge- 
neral Importation  of  Tobacco,  and  reftraining  the  Quantity 
from  Virginia  and  the  Somer-Ijlands.,  to  fifty  five  thoufand 
Weight. '  At  the  fame  time,  taking  Advantage  of  an  Offer 
of  Sir  Thomas  Smith  and  Alderman  yohnfon^  in  the  Name 
of  the  Company,  but  without  their  Knowledge  or  Autho- 
rity, and  fo  utterly  difclaimed  by  them,  he  granted  a  Mo- 
nopoly of   Tobacco  ;    the   fole    Importation    whereof  was 

granted. 


Book  IV.     'The    History    ?/"   VIRGINIA.  199 

granted  by  Letters   patent,  firft  to    Sir  Thomas  Roe  and  his      ^621. 
Aflbciates  (at  whofe  Defire  and  Inftigation  the  Proclamation,  ^'~" — y-^-^ 
above   mentioned,  was  iffued)   and    the   Year   after,  to  Mr.  ^"^   ^"T< 
Jacob  and   certain   other  Patentees.      They  proceeded   moft  Governor 
injurioufly  againft  both  Companies,  not  only  ftinting   them 
to   too  fcant   a  Proportion,  but   alfo  reftraining   them  from 
felling  their  Tobacco,  without    their   Seal    and   Allowance 
firft  had  ;  for  which,  under  the  Pretence  and  Title  of  Garb- 
ling, they  were  obliged  to  pay  four  Pence  a  Pound.     This 
Garbling  was  an  ancient  Cuflom  of  the  City  of  London  ;  and 
an  Officer  was  appointed,  who  had  Power  to  enter  into  any 
Shop  or  Warehoufe,  to  view  and  fearch   Drugs  and  Spices, 
and   to  garble  the   fame  ;  that  is,  to  make  them  clean  from 
all  Garbles  or  Trafh.      And  it  was  now  put  into  Execution, 
and   arbitrarily  applied- -to  Tobacco  (a  new  Commodity  in 
England^  and    therefore    not   legally   fubje6l   to    Garbling, 
without  an  exprefs   Law)  in   order   the   more  effeftually  to 
opprefs  the  Companies  and  Plantations,  and  to  fqueeze  the 
greater  Gain  out  of  them. 

Thus  injured  and  diftrefled,  the  Company  prefented 
their  Petition  and  Reprefentation  to  his  Majefty,  to  which 
they  received  a  gracious  Anfwer,  with  large  Profeffions  of 
his  Love  to  the  Colonies,  and  that  it  never  was  his  Intention 
to  grant  any  thing  to  their  Prejudice;  but  without  any  Re- 
drefs  of  their  Grievance.  It  was  therefore  at  laft  refblved, 
to  prefer  a  Petition  to  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  therein 
to  complain  of  thefe  Oppreflions,  which  tended  to  the  utter 
Deftruilion  and  Overthrow  of  the  Colonies  ;  and  as  that 
Houfe  had  called  into  Queflion,  and  intended  to  fupprefs, 
other  Monopolies  (a  great  and  crying  Grievance  of  thofe 
Times)  they  doubted  not,  to  receive  from  them  a  full  and 
ample  Redrefs.  They  likewife,  at  the  Motion  of  Sir  Ed- 
win Sandys^  prefented  Mr.  Edward  Bennet^  a  Citizen  of 
London^  with  the  Freedom  of  their  Company  ;  becaufe  he 
had  written  a  Treatife,  fetting  forth,  in  a  clear  and  lively 
Manner,  the  great  Inconvenience  and  Damage  to  the  Na- 
tion, by  the  Importation  of  Spani/})  Tobacco  ;  and  becaufe 
he  had  frequently  attenJed  the  Committees  of  the  Houfe  of 
Commons,  who  were  well  inclined,  to  afford  their  utmoft 
Affiflance,  for  the  Prohibition  of  foreign  Tobacco.  This 
Mr.  Bennet  immediately  became  the  moft  deeply  engaged, 
and  was  far  the  largeft  and  moft  confiderable  Adventurer 
of  any,  then  known,  in  the  Affair  of  Virginia ;  whofe 
Foundations,  in  that  early  time,  have  continued  down  to 
the  prefent.  For  his  Nephew,  Richard  Bennet^  Efq;  was 
the  firft  Governor  of  Virginia^  by  the  Election  of  the  Co- 
lony, in  the  time  of  CromweWs,   Ufurpation  ;  and  the   Re- 

O  4  main 


200  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1 621.     main   of  the   Family,  now  feated  in  Maryland^  is  ftill   the 

' r richeft  and  moft  wealthy,  in  all  Kinds  of  Fortune  and  E- 

%\x  George  fl;ate,  of  any  in  this  Part  of  Ainerica.  However,  fince  the 
Governor  Somer-I/Iands  could  not  well  fubfift  without  the  Profits  of 
their  Tobacco,  and  as  the  Territory  of  Virginia  was  large, 
their  Soil  good,  and  great  Hopes  conceived,  that  many  other 
valuable  Commodities  would  foon  be  produced  and  returned 
from  thence,  it  was  agreed,  that  the  whole  55,000  Weight 
fhould  be  imported  from  thofe  Iflands  ;  and  the  Virginia 
Company  procured  Storehoufes,  and  appointed  Fa6lors,  at 
Middleburg  and  Flujlnng^  and  compounded  with  the  States 
of  thofe  Cities,  for  a  Half  Penny  a  Pound  Cuftom,  for  the 
Import,  and  the  fame  Rate  for  the  Export,  of  their  To- 
bacco. So  that  no  Virginia  Tobacco  was  imported  into 
England^  this  Year,  but  all  was  carried  and  difpofed  of  in 
Holland. 

The  News  of  this  State  of  their  Affairs  coming  to  Vir- 
ginia.^ the  Colony  was  greatly  alarmed,  and  drew  up  an 
humble  Petition  to  the  King,  fetting  forth  :  That  his  Ma- 
iefty,  out  of  his  religious  Defire  to  fpeed  the  Gofpel  of 
Chrift,  and  princely  Ambition  to  enlarge  his  Dominions, 
had  given  Encouragement  to  fuch,  as  would  go  to  Virgi- 
nia., and  granted  them  many  goodly  Privileges  and  Liberties, 
under  the  great  Seal  of  England.,  than  which  they  thought 
no  earthly  Affurance  more  firm  and  inviolable  :  That  in 
Confidence  hereof,  they,  his  Majefty's  poor  Subjects,  had 
adventured  their  Lives  and  Fortunes  thither  ;  and  in  the 
Profecution  of  the  Enterprife,  had  undergone  fuch  incredi- 
ble Difficulties  and  Sufferings,  as  would  be  fhocking,  in  the 
Relation,  to  his  Majefty's  facred  Ears  :  That  they  had  now, 
by  the  Divine  Afliftance,  in  fome  Meafure,  overcome  thofe 
Difficulties,  and  brought  themfelves  to  an  Ability  of  fubfift- 
ing,  without  any  other  Help  from  England.,  than  the  ufual 
Courfe  of  Commerce  ;  but  that  they  had,  of  late,  been 
brought  into  Danger,  of  returning  into  their  former,  or  even 
worfe  Circumftances,  by  the  finifter  Pra6lices  of  fome  Mem- 
bers of  the  Company  at  home  ;  who,  pretending  his  Ma- 
jefty's Profit,  but  really  aiming  at  their  own  exorbitant 
Gain,  had  obtained  a  Proclamation,  to  prohibit  the  Impor- 
tation of  Tobacco  into  England:  That  other  things,  of 
greater  real  Value,  required  more  time,  than  their  preffing 
Neceffities  would  allow,  and  more  Help,  to  bring  them  to 
Perfection,  than  they  had,  till  of  late,  been  furnifhed  with- 
al ;  and  that,  therefore,  Tobacco  was  the  only  Commodity, 
they  had  yet  been  able  to  raife,  in  order  to  fupply  themfelves 
and  Families  with  Apparel,  and  other  needful  Supplements 
of  Life  :  That,  if  it  fliould  be  thus  fuppreffed  and  prohi- 
bited, 


Book  IV.     rbe    History    of    VIRGINIA.  201 

bited,   they   muft   all,   of  Neceflity,  perish,   for  Want    of      1621. 

Cloathing,  and  fuch   Neceflaries,  as  both  their  Nature  and* -^ ' 

Education  required  :  That  his  Majefty  would,  thereby,  not  S"'  George 
only  lofe  fo  many  good  and  loyal  Subje£ls,  as  had  adventu- q^^'^^.^-''^ 
red  their  Lives  and  Subftance  to  Virginia^  for  the  Promo- 
tion of  thofe  great  Ends,  the  Glory  of  God,  and  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Service,  but  muft  likewife  be  deprived  of  the  Hope 
and  Profpe£t,  of  acquiring  a  Territory,  as  large,  and  capa- 
ble of  becoming  as  opulent,  as  any  of  thofe  Kingdoms,  he 
at  prefent  pofleffed  :  Since  therefore  they  were  affured,  that 
his  Majefty  tendered  the  Lives  and  Welfare  of  his  Subje6ts, 
above  Thoufands  of  Gold  and  Silver,  and  fmce  his  Royal 
Word  was  engaged,  and  even  ratified  under  the  great  Seal 
of  England^  they  befought  him,  out  of  his  princely  Com- 
paflion,  either  to  revoke  that  Proclamation,  and  to  reftore 
them  to  their  ancient  Liberty,  or  elfe  to  fend  for  them 
home,  and  not  fufFer  the  Heathen  to  triumph  over  them. 

This  Petition  was  tranfmitted  to  the  Treafurer  and  Com- 
pany, and  was  feconded  by  a  Letter,  from  Sir  George  Teard- 
ley  and  the  Council,  to  the  Company ;  defiring,  that  it 
might  be  prefented  to  his  Majefty,  in  as  humble  and  effec- 
tual a  Manner,  as  poflible  ;  becaufe,  as  they  conceived,  the 
very  Life  of  the  Colony  depended  upon  the  Succefs  of  it. 
But  before  it  came  to  hand,  the  King  was  become  fenfible 
of  the  Damage,  that  hence  accrued  to  himfelf,  by  the  Di- 
minution of  his  Cuftoms.  The  Deputy  therefore,  and  fome 
others  of  the  Company,  were  fent  for,  in  OSiober  this  Year, 
and  received  an  angry  Rebuke  from  the  Lords  of  the  Privy 
Council  ;  importing,  that  Complaint  had  been  made  to  that 
Board,  that  the  Company  had  fet  up  a  Trade  in  Holland^ 
and  carried  all  their  Commodities  thither  ;  and  requiring  an 
Anfwer,  whether  they  would  bring  all  their  Commodities 
into  England^  or  continue  their  Trade  in  the  Low- Countries. 
To  the  former  Part  of  this,  the  Anfwer  was  ready  and  ob- 
vious ;  that  they  had  indeed  carried  their  Tobacco  to  Mid- 
dleburg^  not  out  of  Choice,  but  being  conftrained  thereto 
by  his  Majefty's  Proclamation,  and  an  Order  of  their  own 
Board.  And  as  to  the  latter  Part,  concerning  bringing  all 
their  Commodities  into  England^  as  it  was  a  new  and  un- 
expeiled  Propofition,  and  a  Point  of  great  Weight  and  fu- 
ture Confequence,  they  took  fome  time  to  confider  of  it, 
and  then  returned  a  long  and  very  refpe6tful  Anfwer  : 

That  it  was  a  Liberty  and  Privilege,  generally  taken 
and  enjoyed,  by  all  his  Majefty's  Subjects,  to  carry  their 
Commodities  to  the  beft  Markets  :  That  many  Commodi- 
ties were  now  fet  on  Foot,  and  expedled  foon  to  be  returned 
from  Virginia^  which,  altho'  in  fome  Demand  in  other 
2^  Countries, 


rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

Countries,  yet  would  not  be  vendible  in  England^  nor  pay 
the  Expence  of  Freight  and  Cuftom  :  That  neither  the 
^r  ^T^'  Mufcovy  Company,  nor  any  other  ancient  Corporation,  was 
Governor,  under  fuch  a  Reftraint,  to  whofe  greateft  Privileges  and  Im- 
munities, they  were  entitled,  by  the  exprefs  Words  of  his 
Majefty's  Charter  :  That  the  Company  had  granted  feveral 
Patents,  with  the  fame  Privileges,  as  they  themfelves  en- 
joyed, to  divers  Perfons  of  noble  and  worthy  Families,  who 
had  thereupon  expended  great  Sums  of  Money,  and  fome 
their  whole  Eftates  in  the  Plantation  ;  and  that  it  was  not 
in  their  Power,  nor  would  it  be  confonant  to  Law  or  Equi- 
ty, now  to  revoke  or  reftrain  them :  That  they  conceived 
themfelves  to  have  no  Right  or  Authority,  to  difpofe  of  the 
Goods  of  the  private  Planters  in  Virginia^  who  are  declared, 
by  his  Majefty's  Charter,  to  be  as  free,  as  any  other  his  Sub- 
je6ts,  and  who  had  merited,  by  their  long  and  hard  Services, 
all  Manner  of  Immunity  and  Encouragement  :  That  they 
could  not  forbid  or  reftrain  them,  from  trading  and  barter- 
ing their  Commodities  freely,  with  fuch  Ships,  as  carried 
PafTengers,  moft  of  which  proceeded  on  trading  Voyages, 
and  returned  not  dire6lly  to  England :  That  a  Trade  had 
lately  begun  between  Ireland  and  Virginia^  for  Cattle  and 
other  Neceflaries,  for  which  Contracts  were  made  in  To- 
bacco ;  and  that  this  Trade  would  hereby  be  nipped  in  the 
Bud,  to  the  exceeding  great  Prejudice,  and  the  Hazard  of 
the  utter  Ruin  of  the  Colony  :  And  laftly.  That  it  was  not 
in  the  Power  of  the  few  Members  of  the  Company,  then  in 
Town  in  the  time  of  Vacation,  to  conclude  any  thing  pofi- 
tive,  in  an  Affair  of  that  vaft  Importance  ;  wherein  above  a 
thoufand  Adventurers  in  England^  and  near  four  thoufand 
Inhabitants  of  Virginia^  were  deeply  interefted  and  concern- 
ed. After  which  they  concluded,  with  afturing  their  Lord- 
fhips,  that  they  affe6led  no  foreign  Trade,  but  in  Cafes  of 
mere  Neceflity,  and  for  the  better  Support  and  Advance- 
ment of  the  Colony  ;  that  they  fhould  always  endeavour  at 
fuch  a  mutual  Commerce  between  England  and  Virginia^ 
as  fhould  be  confiftent  with  the  Honour  and  Benefit  of  both  ; 
and  that,  next  to  God's  Glory,  they  chiefly  aimed  at  the 
Good  of  their  Country,  his  Majefty's  Honour,  and  the  Ad- 
vancement of  his  Profit  and  Revenue  ;  for  which  Ends, 
they  had,  out  of  their  own  private  Eftates,  befides  their 
Labour  and  Time,  expended  above  an  hundred  thoufand 
Pounds,  without  any  Return,  not  only  of  Profit,  but  even 
of  the  leaft  Part  of  the  Principal  itfelf,  to  any  one  of  the  Ad- 
venturers, that  they  knew  of. 

This  Anfwer   gave   no  Satisfaction  to  their  Lordfhips  ; 
but  they  were   referred  to  Mr.  Jacob^  their  old  Antagonift 

and 


Book  IV.     "The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

and  Oppreflbr ;  and  were  likewife  ordered,  to  give  in  their 
peremptory  Anfwer,  whether  they  would  import,  not  all 
their  Commodities,  but  all  their  Tobacco  only,  into  En-^^^  George 
gland.  With  Mr.  jfacob.,  they  could  come  to  no  ^^tisfac- Qgyg^j^^J 
tory  Accommodation  ;  and  as  to  importing  all  their  Tobac- 
co into  England,  they  befought  their  Lordfhips,  to  be  left 
at  Liberty,  either  to  import,  or  not  import  it  into  England, 
as  they  fhould  find  it  moft  beneficial  to  the  Colony.  But 
if  they  muft  be  obliged  to  import  all  or  none,  they  declar- 
ed, it  was  their  Choice,  to  import  none  into  England,  the 
enfuing  Year.  But  their  Lordfliips  termed  this  an  unduti- 
ful  Anfwer,  and  commanded  them,  at  their  Peril,  to  bring 
all  their  Tobacco  into  England.  And  the  Deputy  and  Com- 
mittee, appointed  to  attend  their  Lordfhips,  offering  fome 
Reafons,  they  were  told^  that  they  were  not  to  difpute  at 
that  Board,  but  to  obey  ;  and  fo  were  difmiffed,  with  high 
Marks  of  their  Difpleafure  and  Indignation. 

These  Proceedings,  being  reported  to  the  Company, 
caufed  great  Grief  and  Dejection  among  them.  For  the 
Importation  of  Spanijh,  and  all  other  Tobaccoes,  was  then 
free  ;  and  altho'  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  in  their  laft  Sef- 
fion,  had  entered  into  fome  Confideration  about  it,  yet  I 
cannot  find,  that  any  thing  material  was  done  in  the  Mat- 
ter. And  as  to  the  King,  out  of  his  doating  Fondnefs  for 
the  Spani/lj  Match,  and  his  eager  Defire,  to  give  all  poflible 
Pleafure  and  Advantage  to  his  good  Friend  and  Brother,  the 
King  of  Spain,  he  was  even  a6live  and  diligent,  to  protedl 
and  advance  the  Importation  of  Spanijh  Tobacco.  How- 
ever the  Deputy  exhorted  the  Company,  not  to  be  difcou- 
raged  at  thefe  Difafters.  For  he  hoped,  that  God  would 
ftill  exert  himfelf  in  the  Prote6tion  of  Virginia,  who  had 
turned  for  the  beft,  divers  former  Proje6ls,  which  threatned 
the  Ruin  and  Deftru6lion  of  the  Colony.  And  he  defired, 
that  having  put  their  Hands  to  the  Plough,  they  would  not 
now  look  back,  or  be  weary  of  well-doing.  For  the  Ac- 
tion was  univerfally  confeffed,  to  be  moft  chriftian,  ho- 
nourable, and  glorious,  and  of  extreme  Confequence  to  the 
Commonwealth  and  Realm  of  England;  and  altho'  they 
might  feem  to  have  caft  their  Bread  upon  the  Waters,  yet 
after  many  Days,  he  doubted  not,  but  they  fhould  find  it 
again,  to  their  great  Comfort  and  Advantage.  And  he  far- 
ther told  them,  that  altho'  their  exhaufted  Treafury  had 
been  able  to  do  little,  that  Year,  for  fending  People  to  Vir- 
ginia, yet  it  had  pleafed  God,  to  flir  up  To  many  worthy 
Minds,  for  the  Advancement  of  the  Colony,  that  no  lefs 
than  twenty  Ships  were  already  gone,  or  ready  to  go,  in 
which  would  be  tranfported  above  a  thoufand  Perfons.     But 

by 


rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

by  Captain   Smith's  Account,  there  were  twenty  one   Sail 

of  Ships  fent  this  Year,  with  thirteen  hundred.  Men,  Wo- 

Si^r  Gjorge  j^g^,  and    Children  ;    which   might   likewife   be   true,  as  it 

Governor.   ^^^  ^^'Y  Osiober^  and  the  Year  not  concluded,  v/hen  Mr. 

Deputy  Farrar  made  this  Report  to  the  Company. 

M  R .  Copeland^  Chaplain  to  the  Royal  James^  an  Eaji- 
India  Ship  juft  returned  to  England^  by  his  Example  and 
Perfuafions,  prevailed  on  the  Ship's  Company,  to  contribute 
feventy  Pounds,  towards  building  a  Church  or  a  Free-fchool 
in  Virginia ;  and  an  unknown  Perfon  gave  thirty  Pounds 
more,  to  make  the  BenefacSlion  an  hundred  ;  to  which  twen- 
ty five  Pounds  were  afterwards  added,  by  another  unknown 
Perfon.  It  was  therefore  determined,  to  build  a  School  at 
Charles-City  (which  was  judged  the  moft  commodious  Place, 
and  moft  convenient  to  all  Parts  of  the  Colony)  by  the  Name 
of  the  Eaji-India  School ;  and  the  Company  allotted,  for 
the  Maintenance  of  the  Mafter  and  Ufher,  a  thoufand  A- 
cres  of  Land,  with  five  Servants  and  an  Overfeer.  This 
School  was  to  be  collegiate,  and  to  have  Dependence  upon 
the  College  at  Henrico  ;  into  which,  as  foon  as  the  College 
was  fufficiently  endowed,  and  capable  to  receive  them,  the 
Scholars  were  to  be  admitted  and  advanced,  according  to 
their  Deferts  and  Proficiency  in  Learning.  Mr.  Copeland 
was  alfo  prefented  with  the  Freedom  of  the  Company,  and 
with  three  hundred  Acres  of  Land  in  Virginia.  And  Car- 
penters were  accordingly  fent  over  for  this  Purpofe,  early 
the  next  Year. 
Sir  Francis  On  the  1 8th  of  November.,  Sir  Francis  IVyat  entered 
Wyat,  Go-  upon  his  Government ;  but  inftead  of  his  hundred  Tenants, 
vernor.  y^^  received  only  forty  fix  from  Sir  George  Teardley.,  who 
refufed  to  make  the  Number  good,  as  he  was  under  no 
fuch  Contrail  with  the  Company,  when  he  came  Gover- 
nor, and  as  he  had  even  offered  to  furrender  them  all  back 
again,  into  the  Company's  Hands.  Sir  Francis  fent  Mr. 
Thorpe  immediately,  to  Opitchapan  and  Opechancanough.,  to 
confirm  all  former  Leagues,  between  the  Englijh  and  them. 
They  both  exprefi'ed  great  Satisfaction  at  the  Arrival  of  this 
new  Governor,  and  were  content,  that  the  Englijh  fhould 
inhabit  the  Country  ;  and  Mr.  Thorpe  thought,  that  he  per- 
ceived more  Motions  of  Religion  in  Opechancanough.,  than 
could  eafily  be  imagined,  in  fo  great  Ignorance  and  Blind- 
nefs.  He  acknowledged  his  own  Religion,  not  to  be  the 
right  Way  ;  and  defired,  to  be  inftru6ted  in  the  Chrijiian 
Faith.  He  confefi^ed,  that  God  loved  the  Englijh  better 
than  them  ;  and  he  thought,  the  Caufe  of  God's  Anger 
againft  them  was  their  Cuftom  of  conjuring  their  Children, 
and  making  them  black  Boys.  He  had  alfo  fome  Know- 
ledge 


Book  IV.     rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.  205 

ledge  of  the  Heavens  ;  had  obferved  the  North  Star  and  1621. 
the  Courfe  of  the  Conftellation  about  it  ;  and  called  the'^" — y'— ^ 
Great  Bear,  Manguahaian^  which,  in  their  Language,  fig-^"^  Francis 
nified  the  fame.  He  gave  Mr.  Thorpe  Hopes  of  their  en-  pernor 
tertaining  fome  Englijh  Families  among  them,  and  their 
fending  fome  of  theirs  to  cohabit  with  th'e  Englijh  ;  and 
confirmed  a  former  Promife,  of  fending  a  Guide  with  the 
Englijh  to  fome  Mines  beyond  the  Falls.  But  all  thefe  fair 
Profeflions  and  Promifes  feem  to  have  been  only  Diflimula- 
tion  and  Policy.  For  that  favage  Prince  certainly  never 
had  any  real  Friendfhip  or  Love  for  the  Englijh  ;  but 
watched  all  proper  Opportunities  and  Pretences,  to  do  them 
Mifchief,  or  even  utterly  deftroy  them.  It  was  likewife 
ordered,  upon  the  Acceffion  of  this  new  Governor,  that  the 
Colony  fhould  only  tend  a  thoufand  Plants,  for  every  Head, 
with  nine  Leaves  on  each  Plant  ;  which,  by  their  Compu- 
tation, would  amount  to  about  an  hundred  Weight,  ac- 
cording to  the  Company's  exprefs  InftrucStions,  in  Confe- 
quence  of  his  Majefty's  Defire  and  Advice.  Mr.  Gookin 
too,  who  was  under  Contrail  with  the  Company  for  Cat- 
tle, arrived  with  them  out  of  Ireland^  on  the  22d  of  No- 
vember ;  and  he  brought  with  him  fifty  Men  of  his  own,  and 
thirty  PafiTengers,  exceedingly  well  furnifhed  with  all  Kinds 
of  Provifion,  and  feated  himfelf  at  Newport' s-News.  The 
Inhabitants  alfo  made  a  Contribution  of  fifteen  hundred 
Pounds,  to  build  a  Gueft-Houfe,  for  the  Reception  and 
Entertainment  of  New-Comers ;  which  was  accordingly 
undertaken,  and  in  a  Way  of  being  well  executed,  by 
Lieutenant  Jabez  IVhitaker^  to  his  own  great  Commenda- 
tion, and  to  the  general  Satisfa6iion  of  the  People  here,  and 
the  Company  in  London. 

Before  I  finifh  this  Year,  it  will  not  be  improper, 
briefly  to  remark,  what  then  paffed  in  the  Parliament  of 
England.  There  were  two  Seflions  of  Parliament,  tjiis 
Year.  The  firft  began  in  January.,  and  palled  off  peace- 
ably. They  granted  the  King  Money,  to  fupport  the  Pa- 
latine of  the  Rhine.,  againft  the  Houfe  of  Auftria  ;  and 
were  content  to  fupprefs  fome  Monopolies,  without  lv. ach- 
ing on  their  Author,  the  Marquifs  of  Buckingham.,  altho' 
he  was  generally  known,  and  even  plainly  accufed  of  it,  by 
Sir  Henry  Telverton.,  the  late  Attorney  General.  However 
I  do  not  find,  that  the  Monopoly  of  Tobacco  came  under 
their  Reftraint.  Only  the  eminent  Lawyers  of  the  Houfe 
of  Commons  declared  the  Patent  for  Garbling  utterly  ille- 
gal, and  a  great  Grievance  in  the  Erection,  but  much  more 
fo,  if  it  fhould  be  brought  into  Execution.  And  this  Seflion 
had  alfo  another  good  Effect  :  For  at  their  very  firft  Meet- 
ing, 


2o6  rhe   History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1 621.     ing,  the   Reftraint  on  Tobacco  was   taken  off,  and  Liberty 

' r"'"-^  given,  at  leaft   by  Connivance,  freely  to   import  it  into  En- 

S\r  F>i"^'s gland ;  which  indeed,  I   fuppofe,  was  the  Reafon,  that  nei- 
veirTor.    °  ''^^'"  ^^^  Company's   Petition  was  deHvered,  nor  any  thing 
elfe  done  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  with  Relation  to  that 
unlawful,  unjufl*,  and  oppreflive  Monopoly. 

The  fecond  Seffion  began  the  20th  of  November,  and 
was  hot  and  angry.  The  Difpute  between  the  King  and 
the  Houfe  of  Commons,  concerning  the  Extent  of  the 
Royal  Prerogative,  and  the  Rights,  Franchifes,  and  Privi- 
leges of  Parliament,  rofe  fo  high,  that  the  King  firft  ad- 
journed, and  then  diflblved  them,  in  a  Paflion.  However, 
before  that  could  be  done,  the  Commons  entered  upon 
their  Journals  a  Proteftation,  aflerting  their  Parliamentary 
Rights  and  Privileges.  But  the  King,  eleven  Days  after 
the  Adjournment,  called  for  the  Clerk  of  the  Houfe  of 
Commons  ;  and  demanding  the  Journals,  he  declared,  in 
full  Council,  and  in  the  Prefence  of  all  the  Judges  then  in 
Town,  that  it  was  invalid,  annulled,  void,  and  of  no  Ef- 
fect ;  and  did  moreover,  with  his  own  Hand,  take  the  faid 
Proteftation,  out  of  the  Journal-Book  of  the  Houfe  of 
Commons.  And  not  content  with  thefe  Marks  of  his  Dif- 
pleafure,  he  proceeded  farther  againft  fome  of  the  warmeft 
of  the  Houfe  of  Commons  ;  whom  he  stiled  fiery,  popu- 
lar, and  ill-tempered  Spirits.  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  was  im- 
prifoned,  during  the  SefHon,  which  caufed  a  great  Tumult 
in  the  Houfe.  And  altho'  the  King,  upon  the  Houfe's 
fendino;  a  MefTao-e  to  Sir  Edwin,  to  know  the  Reafon  of  his 
Confinement,  declared,  in  a  Letter  to  the  Speaker,  that  it 
was  not  for  any  Mifdemeanor  in  Parliament,  yet  I  fufpe6l, 
his  Imprifonment  was  defigned,  to  prevent  him  from  a6l- 
ing  with  Vigor,  in  the  Cafe  of  the  Monopoly,  and  other 
illegal  Oppreflions  on  Tobacco  ;  and  this  the  more  efpe- 
cially,  as  I  can  no  where  find,  that  any  Reafon  or  Pretence 
was  given  for  his  Commitment.  However  the  King's 
Opinion,  concerning  his  Power  over  the  Members,  was 
plainly  exprefled  in  that  Letter.  For  he  orders  the  Spea- 
ker, to  tell  the  Houfe,  in  his  Name,  that  he  conceived 
himfelf,  to  have  both  Right  and  Ability,  to  punifh  any 
Man's  Mifdemeanors  in  Parliament,  as  well  during  their 
fitting,  as  after  ;  which  Power  he  meant  not  hereafter  to 
fpare,  as  Occafion  fhould  be  adminiftered,  by  the  infolent 
Behaviour  of  any  of  their  Members.  And  agreeably  to 
this  Declaration,  Sir  Edward  Coke,  the  great  Lawyer,  Sir 
Robert  Philips,  Mr.  John  Selden,  another  Prodigy  of  Law 
and  all  Kinds  of  Knowledge,  Mr.  Pym,  and  Mr.  Mallery, 
were  imprifoned,  after  the  Recefs,  profefledly  for  their  Be- 
haviour 


Book  IV.      "The    History    of    VIRGINIA. 

haviour  in  Parliament.  And  Sir  Dudley  Digges^  Sir  Thomas 
Crezu^  Sir  Nathaniel  Rich^  and  Sir  yatnes  Perrot^  were  fent 
into  Ireland^  under  Pretence  of  enquiring  into  fundry  Mat-^'""  ^'""""^ 
ters,  relating  to  his  Majefty's  Service  in  that  Kingdom,  but,  ^5/^0^ 
in  reality,  by  Way  of  Banifhment.  The  Earls  of  Oxford 
and  Southampton  were  likewife  fent  to  the  Tower,  soon  af- 
ter the  Diflblution,  on  fome  far-fetched.  Pretences.  But  the 
true  Reafon  was  eafily  and  publickly  perceived,  and  that 
their  real  Crime  was,  having  fpoke  too  freely  in  Parliament, 
concerning  the  King's  Conduit. 

I  have  made  this  Relation,  not  fo  much  as  it  is  a  remark- 
able T^ra  in  the  Englijh  Hiftory,  which  gave  Rife  to  two 
profefTed  Parties,  the  one  for  the  King's  Prerogative,  and 
the  other  for  the  Rights  of  Parliament  and  the  Liberty  of 
the  Subje6l ;  nor  as  it' was  alfo  the  firft  open  breach,  be- 
tween the  King  and  the  People,  which,  by  fubfequent  Pro- 
vocations and  Heart-burnings,  at  laft  broke  out,  into  a  moft 
unhappy  and  virulent  Civil  War.  But  I  have  mentioned 
thefe  things  chiefly,  as  they  relate  to  my  Subject,  and  will 
contribute  to  let  the  Reader  more  fully,  into  the  Springs 
and  Motives  of  fome  future  Tranfa6lions.  For  it  will  be 
readily  perceived,  that  many  of  the  moft  eminent  and  active 
Oppofers  in  Parliament,  of  the  King's  arbitrary  Views, 
were  alfo  principal  and  leading  Members  of  the  Virginia 
Company  ;  and  it  is  well  known,  with  what  an  Eye  of 
Jealoufy  and  Difpleafure,  that  Prince  ever  looked  upon  fuch, 
as  dared  to  ftand  up  for  the  Liberty  of  their  Country,  or 
were  fo  far  infected,  with  the  mortal  Taint  of  a  publick 
(or  as  he  thought  it)  a  republican  Spirit,  as  to  oppofe  his 
Claim  to  an  unlimited  and  defpotic  Power.  It  will  not 
therefore  be  furprifing,  to  find  him  hereafter,  notwithftand- 
ing  his  many  afFeited  and  anile  Profeilions  of  Love  and  Af- 
fe6tion  to  the  Colonies,  not  only  much  difgufted  at  the 
Company,  and  little  inclined  to  do  them  any  Favour,  but 
even,  in  their  Diflblution,  making  a  Stretch  of  that  Prero- 
gative, which  many  of  them  had  the  Boldnefs,  to  queftion 
and   withftand. 

B  UT  the  Colony  being  now  much  enlarged  and  en-  '622. 
creafed,  it  was  found  very  troublefome,  to  bring  all  Caufes 
to  fames-Town.  Inferior  Courts  were  therefore,  in  the 
Beginning  of  the  Year  1622,  appointed  in  convenient  Places, 
to  relieve  the  Governor  and  Council  from  this  vaft  Burthen 
of  Bufinefs,  and  to  render  Juftice  the  more  cheap  and  ac- 
ceflible.  This  was  the  Original  and  Foundation  of  our 
County  Courts  ;  altho'  the  Country  was  not  yet  laid  off  in 
Counties,  but  ftill  continued  in  Townfhips  and  particular 
Plantations,  as  they  called   thofe    Settlements,  which   were 

not 


2o8  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

1622.     not  confiderable  enough,  to  have  the  Title  and  Privileges  of 
^-^~^'^~^  Burroughs. 

S^  Francis  B  u  T  this  Year  is  rendered  moft  memorable  in  our  An- 
vernor.  °  "^Is,  by  a  cruel  and  bloody  Maflacre,  concerted  by  Ope- 
chancanough  and  the  Indians^  and  executed  on  the  Englifh 
Colony,  upon  the  22d  of  March^  on  the  following  Occa- 
fion  and  Manner.  There  was  a  noted  Indian^  called  Ne- 
mattayiow^  who  was  wont,  out  of  Bravery  and  Parade,  to 
drefs  himfelf  up,  in  a  ftrange  antic  and  barbaric  Fafhion, 
with  Feathers  ;  which  therefore  obtained  him,  among  the 
EngUJh^  the  Name  of  fack  of  the  Feather.  This  Indian 
was  highly  renowned  among  his  Countrymen,  for  Courage 
and  Policy  ;  and  was  univerfally  efteemed  by  them  the  great- 
eft  War-Captain  of  thofe  Times.  He  had  been  in  many 
Skirmifhes  and  Engagements  with  the  Englijh^  and  bravely 
expofed  his  Perfon  ;  yet  by  his  A^livitv,  Conduct,  and  good 
Fortune,  he  had  always  efcaped  without  a  Wound.  This, 
aided  by  his  Craft  and  Ambition,  eafily  wrought,  in  the 
Minds  of  thofe  ignorant  and  fuperftitious  Barbarians  a  fond 
Conceit,  that  he  was  invulnerable  and  immortal.  This 
Captain  came  to  the  Houfe  of  one  Morgan.,  who  had  many 
fuch  Commodities,  as  fuited  the  rude  Tafte  of  the  Indians. 
Being  fmit  with  the  Defire  of  fome  of  thofe  Baubles,  he 
perfuaded  Morgan  to  go  with  him  to  Pamunkey.,  upon  the 
Promife  and  Afllirance  of  a  certain  and  advantageous  Traf- 
fick.  But,  upon  the  Way,  he  murdered  the  poor  credu- 
lous EngUJhman  ;  and  within  two  or  three  Days,  returned 
again  to  his  Houfe.  There  were  only  two  fturdy  Lads  there, 
the  late  Morgan  %  Servants  ;  who  feeing  him  wear  their 
Mafter's  Cap,  afked  for  their  Mafter,  and  fack  frankly 
told  them,  he  was  dead.  Being  confirmed  in  their  Sufpi- 
cion,  they  feifed  him,  and  endeavoured  to  carry  him  before 
Mr.  Thorpe.,  who  then  lived  at  Berkeley.  But  "Jack  fo  pro- 
voked them,  by  his  Refiftance  and  Infolence,  that  at  laft 
they  fhot  him  down,  and  put  him  into  a  Boat,  in  order  to 
carry  him  before  the  Governor,  who  was  then  within  feven 
or  eight  Miles  of  the  Place.  On  the  Way,  our  fainting 
Immortal  felt  the  Pangs  of  Death  very  ftrong  upon  him, 
and  earneftly  entreated  the  Boys,  to  grant  him  two  things  ; 
firft,  never  to  make  it  known,  that  he  was  flain  by  a  Bullet ; 
and  fecondly,  to  bury  him  among  the  Englifh.,  that  the  cer- 
tain Knowledge,  and  Monument  of  his  Mortality,  might 
be  ftill  concealed,  and  kept  from  the  Sight  of  his  Country- 
men. Such  was  the  Vanity  of  this  poor  Barbarian,  and 
fo  ftrong  his  Defire  of  falfe  Glory  in  the  Opinion  of  others, 
againft  the  Experience  and  plain  Convi£lion  of  his  own 
Senfe. 

Opechancanough 


*W'>^ 


Book  IV.     rhe   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

Opechancamugh  was  a  haughty,  politic,  and  bloody  Man, 
ever  intent  on  the  Deftru6lion  of  the  EngUJh^  and  ready 
to  catch  at  every  Pretence,  for  efFe6ting  his  Purpofe.  He  ^"'  ^'''^^^'^ 
had  been  difcovered,  the  Year  before,  tampering  with  a  ^^^^^^ 
King  on  the  Eajlern  Shore^  to  furnifh  him  with  a  Poifon, 
either  real  or  fuppofed,  in  order  to  Poifon  the  EngUfh  Co- 
lony. He  had  alfo  been  accufed  to  the  Governor,  of  a  De- 
fign,  to  draw  together  a  very  great  Force,  under  Colour  of 
celebrating  fome  funeral  Rites  to  Powhatan^  but  really  with 
Intent  to  cut  off  all  the  Englijh.  But  Sir  George  Teardley^ 
by  this  Information,  was  rendered  very  watchful  of  his  Mo- 
tions ;  fo  that  he  was  either  difappointed  in  his  Scheme,  or 
elfe,  as  Sir  George  thought,  had  never  really  formed  any 
fuch  Defign.  As  to  this  Warrior,  he  was  fo  far  from  be- 
ing in  his  Favour,  tiiat  he  had  fent  Word  to  Sir  George 
Teardley^  fome  time  before,  that  he  fhould  be  content,  if  his 
Throat  were  cut.  Yet  he  being  a  popular  Man,  and  much 
lamented  by  the  Indians^  Opechancamugh  pretended,  the  bet- 
ter to  enflame  and  exafperate  them,  to  be  much  grieved  at 
his  Death,  and  was  very  loud,  at  firft,  in  his  Threats  of 
Revenge.  But  the  Reafon  and  Juftice  of  the  thing  being 
evinced,  and  receiving  alfo  fome  ftern  and  refolute  Anfwers 
from  the  Englijh^  he  cunningly  diffembled  his  Intent  for  the 
prefent,  and  treated  a  Meffenger,  fent  to  him  about  the 
Middle  of  March^  with  extreme  Civility  and  Kindnefs ; 
affuring  him,  that  he  held  the  Peace  fo  firm,  that  the  Sky 
fhould  fall  fooner,  than  it  fhould  be  violated  on  his  Part. 
And  fuch  was  the  Treachery  and  DifEmulation  of  the  reft 
of  the  Indians^  that,  but  two  Days  before,  they  kindly 
conducted  the  Englijh  through  the  Woods,  and  fent  home 
one  that  lived  among  them,  to  learn  their  Language.  Nay, 
on  the  very  Morning  of  that  fatal  Day,  as  alfo  the  Even- 
ing before,  they  came,  as  at  other  times,  unarmed  into  the 
Houfes  of  the  Englijh^  with  Deer,  Turkies,  Fifh,  Fruits, 
and  other  things  to  fell ;  and  in  fome  Places  fat  down  to 
Breakfafl  with  them.  Yet  fo  general  was  the  Combination, 
and  their  Plot  fo  well  laid,  to  cut  off  the  whole  Colony,  in 
one  Day,  and  at  the  fame  Inflant,  that  they  had  all  Warn- 
ing, one  from  another,  through  all  their  Habitations,  though 
far  diflant  from  each  other,  and  every  Party  and  Nation 
had  their  Stations  appointed,  and  Parts  afligned,  at  the  Plan- 
tations of  the  Englijh^  fome  being  directed  to  one  Place, 
and  fome  to  another. 

The   EngUfh^  on  the  other  hand,  were   by  this   Beha- 
viour, as  well  as  on  other  Accounts,  lulled  into  a  fatal  Se- 
curity.    They  thought  the  Peace  fure  and  inviolable,  not 
fo   much    becaufe   of   their   folemn   Promifes   and    Engage- 
29  P  ments, 


T:he   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

ments,  as  becaufe  it  was  highly  ufeful  and  neceffary  to  the 
Indians  themfelves.     For  thofe  poor,  weak  and  naked  Bar- 
S\r  Francis  banans  were,  every  way,  advantaged  by  the  Englijh.      By 
vernor.        ^^^  Peace,  they  were  fafely  fheltered  and  defended  from  all 
other  Enemies  ;   they  were  fupplied  with  feveral  neceffary 
Tools  and  Utenfils,  and  other  Commodities  of  Pleafure  and 
Entertainment ;  they  were  fomething  acquainted  with,  and 
got  a  Tafte  of  Civil  Life  ;  and  were  befides  no  ways  in  a 
Condition   to   withftand   an   Englijh   War,   becaufe   of  the 
Superiority  of  their  Arms,  the  Advantage  of  their   Difci- 
pline  and  native  Courage,  and  their  greater  Skill  in  all  mili- 
tary Arts  and  Stratagems.      The   Englijh  had   likewife   ever 
treated  them,  with  the  utmoft  Humanity  and  Kindnefs,  out 
of  the   Hope  and  Defire,  of  thereby  alluring  and  bringing 
them  over,  to  the  Knowledge  of  God  and  his  true  Religion. 
For  nothing  was  more   earneftly  recommended   from   En- 
gland^ or  more  heartily  defired  and   endeavoured   by  many 
good  and  pious  Perfons  of  the  Colony,  than  their  Conver- 
fion  ;  which,  agreeably  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Gofpel,  and  of 
the  Proteftant  Religion,  and  greatly  to  the   Honour  of  our 
Nation,  was  always   purfued,   by   the  Ways  of  Gentlenefs 
and  Perfuafion,  and  never  by  thofe  unchriftian  Arguments 
of  Fire  and  Sword.      On  all   thefe  Accounts,   the   Englijh 
were  fo  confident  and  fecure,  that  there  could  feldom  be  met 
with,  in  their  Houfes,  a  Sword  or  a  Firelock,  and  moft  of 
their  Plantations  were  feated  in  a  fcattered  and   ftraggling 
Manner,  as  a  convenient  Situation,  or  a  choice  Vein  of  rich 
Land  invited  them  ;  and   indeed  it  was  generally  thought, 
the  further  from  Neighbours  the  better.     All  Indians  were 
kindly  received  into  their  Houfes,  fed  at  their  Tables,  and 
even  lodged  in  their   Bedchambers  ;   fo  that  they  feemed, 
entirely  to   have   coalefced,   and   to   live    together,   as   one 
People.      And   the   Englijh   were   fo   far  infatuated,   by   an 
Opinion  of  their   Simplicity,  and  of  their  Inclination,  and 
even  Intereft,  to  maintain   the  Peace,  that   they   lent   them 
their  Boats,  as  they  paffed  backwards  and  forwards,  to  con- 
cert their  Meafures,  and  to  confult  upon  the  execrable  De- 
fign  of  murdering  and  utterly  extirpating  the  whole  Nation. 
The   Hour  appointed  being   come,  and  the   Indians^  by 
reafon    of    their    Familiarity,    knowing    exa6tly,    in    what 
Places   and    Quarters   every    Englijhman   was   to  be  found, 
rofe  upon  them  at  once,  fparing  neither  Sex  nor  Age,  Man, 
Woman,  nor  Child  j  and  they  were  fo  quick  and  fudden  in 
their  Execution,  that  few  perceived  the  Weapon  or  Blow, 
that    brought    them    to    their    End.       Some    entered    their 
Houfes,  under  Colour  of  Trade  ;  others  drew  them  abroad, 
upon  fpecious  Pretences  ;  whilft  the  reft  fell  fuddenly  on 

thofe, 


Book  IV.     "fhe    History    of   VIRGINIA. 

thofe,  that  were  at  their  feveral  Works  and  Labours.  And 
thus,  in  one  Hour,  and  almoft  at  the  fame  Inftant,  fell 
three  hundred  and  forty  feven.  Men,  Women,  and  Chil-^'"'  ^'■'"'^" 
dren  ;  moft  of  them,  by  their  own  Tools  and  Weapons,  vefm)r 
and  all,  by  the  Hands  of  a  perfidious,  naked,  and  daftardly 
People,  who  durft  not  ftand  the  prefenting  of  a  Staff,  in 
Manner  of  a  Firelock,  nor  an  uncharged  Piece,  in  the 
Hands  of  a  Woman.  Neither  were  they  content  with  their 
Lives  only  ;  but  they  fell  again  upon  their  dead  Bodies,  de- 
facing, dragging,  and  mangling  them  into  many  Pieces,  and 
carrying  fome  Parts  away,  with  a  bafe  and  brutifh  Tri- 
umph. 

In  this  Havock,  fix  of  the  Council  were  flain.  For 
thofe  Blood-hounds,  with  equal  Spight  and  Barbarity,  mur- 
dered all  before  thern.^  without  any  Remorfe  or  Pity,  and 
without  having  any  Regard  to  Dignity,  or  even  to  thofe 
Perfons  who  were  beft  known  to  them,  or  from  whom 
they  had  daily  received  many  Benefits.  Among  thefe  was 
that  pious,  worthy,  and  religious  Gentleman,  Mr.  George 
Thorpe^  Deputy  to  the  College  Lands,  and  both  in  Com- 
mand and  Defert,  one  of  the  Principal  in  Virginia.  He 
had  been  of  the  King's  Bed-Chamber,  and  was  a  Perfon  of 
confiderable  Figure  in  England.  Yet  fo  truly  and  earneftly 
did  he  afFe6l  their  Converfion,  that  he  left  all  at  home,  and 
came  over  chief  Manager  to  the  College,  a  Foundation 
defigned  for  their  Education  and  Converfion.  And  here  he 
feverely  puniftied,  whofoever,  under  him,  did  them  the 
leaft  Difpleafure.  He  thought,  nothing  too  dear  or  precious 
for  them,  nor  ever  denied  them  any  thing.  Infomuch  that, 
being  frightened  at  the  Englijh  Maflives,  he  caufed  fome  of 
them  to  be  killed  in  their  Prefence,  to  the  great  Grief  of 
their  Owners,  and  would  fain  have  had  all  the  refl:  gelt, 
to  make  them  mild  and  peaceable.  He  alfo  built  the  King 
a  handfome  Houfe,  after  the  Engli/})  Faftiion  ;  in  which  he 
took  fuch  Pleafure,  efpecially  in  the  Lock  and  Key,  that  he 
would  lock  and  unlock  his  Door,  an  hundred  Times  a  Day, 
and  was  fo  taken  with  the  Device,  that  he  thought  nothing 
in  the  World  comparable  to  it.  And  thus  infinuating  him- 
felf  into  that  Barbarian's  Favour,  he  would  often  confer 
with  him  about  Religion ;  and  that  treacherous  Infidel 
would  feem  much  pleafed  with  his  Difcourfe  and  Compa- 
ny, and  very  defirous  to  requite  all  his  Courtefy  and  Kind- 
nefs.  Yet  did  this  ungrateful  and  viperous  Brood,  not  only 
murder  this  good  Gentleman,  but  with  fuch  Spight  and 
Scorn  abufe  his  dead  Corps,  as  is  unfit  to  be  heard,  or  re- 
lated. At  the  very  Minute  of  the  Execution,  his  Man, 
perceiving  fome  Treachery,  warned  him  to  look  to  himfelf ; 

P  2  and 


212  rioe   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.      and  withal  ran  off,  and   fo   faved   his   own   Life.      But  his 

' <       ■  A'lafter,  out  of  his  good  Meaning,  was  fo  void  of  Sufpicion, 

^J'^Go"^"^  full  of  Confidence,  that  they  had  flain  him  before  he 
verncr.  could,  or  would  believe,  they  intended  anv  Harm.  Captain 
Nathaniel  Powel^  another  of  the  Council,  who  had  fome 
time  been  Governor  of  the  Country,  was  alfo  killed.  He 
was  one  of  the  firft  Planters,  a  brave  Soldier,  had  deferved 
well  in  all  Ways,  was  univerfally  valued  and  efteemed  by 
all  Parties  and  Factions,  and  none  in  the  Country  better 
known  among  the  Indians.  Yet  they  flew  both  him  and 
his  Family  ;  and  afterwards  haggled  their  Bodies,  and  cut 
off  his  Head,  to  exprefs  their  utmoft  Height  of  Scorn  and 
Cruelty. 

This  Slaughter  was  a  deep  and  grievous  Wound  to  the 
yet  weak  and  Infant  Colony  ;  but  it  would  have  been  much 
more  general,  and  almoft  univerfal,  if  God  had  not  put  it 
into  the  Heart  of  a  converted  Indian^  to  make  a  Difcoverv. 
This  Convert,  whofe  Name  was  Chanco^  lived  with  one 
Richard  Pace.,  who  treated  him,  as  his  own  Son.  The 
Night  before  the  Maflacre,  another  Indian.^  his  Brother, 
lay  with  him  ;  and  telling  him  the  King's  Command,  and 
that  the  Execution  would  be  performed  the  next  Day,  he 
urged  him  to  rife  and  kill  Pace.,  as  he  intended  to  do  by 
Perry.,  his  Friend.  As  foon  as  his  Brother  was  gone,  the 
Chrijiian  Indian  rofe,  and  went  and  revealed  the  whole 
Matter  to  Pace  ;  who  immediately  gave  Notice  thereof  to 
Captain  William  Powel.,  and  having  fecured  his  own  Houfe, 
rowed  ofF  before  Day  to  "James-Town.,  and  informed  the 
Governor  of  it.  By  this  Means,  their  Defign  was  pre- 
vented at  yames-Town^  and  all  fuch  Plantations,  as  could 
pofTibly  get  Intelligence  in  time.  For  where-ever  they  faw 
the  Englijh  upon  their  Guard,  or  a  fingle  Mufket  prefented, 
they  ran  off,  and  abandoned  their  Attempt. 

Such  alfo,  at  other  Places,  as  had  fufficient  Warning 
to  make  Refiftance,  faved  their  Lives.  Nathaniel  Caufie., 
one  of  Captain  Sinith^  old  Soldiers,  being  cruelly  wounded, 
did,  with  an  Ax,  cleave  down  one  of  their  Sculls  ;  and 
tho'  they  were  all  about  him,  yet  they  fled  away,  and  he 
efcaped.  At  another  Place,  two  Men  only,  having  Notice 
of  their  Defign,  defended  a  Houfe  againft  fixty  or  more, 
that  aflaulted  it.  At  Warrafqueake.,  one  Mr.  Baldwin., 
when  his  Wife  was  fo  wounded,  that  fhe  lay  for  dead,  yet 
by  often  difcharging  his  Piece,  drove  them  off,  and  faved 
both  her  and  his  Houfe,  together  with  himfelf  and  divers 
others.  At  Mr.  Harrifon\.,  about  half  a  Mile  from  Bald- 
win's^  was  Mr.  Thomas  Hamer.,  with  fix  Men,  and  eigh- 
teen or  nineteen  Women  and  Children.      To  him  the  /«- 

dians. 


Book  IV.     Tie    History    of   VIRGINIA. 

dians  came,  with  many  Prefents  and  fair  Profeflions.  They 
pretended,  they  wanted  Captain  Ralph  Hamer^  to  go  to 
their  King,  then  hunting  In  the  Woods.  Mr.  Hamer  fent  ^'''  ^''^"f'^ 
immediately  for  his  Brother,  who  was  at  a  new  Houfe,  ^^  yj^^^^ 
was  then  building.  But  he  not  coming  according  to  their 
Wifh,  they  fet  Fire  to  a  Tobacco  Houfe,  and  came  and 
told  them  in  the  Dwelling  Houfe  of  it.  The  Men  ran  to- 
wards it ;  and  the  Indians  following,  firft  fhot  them  full  of 
Arrows,  and  afterwards  beat  out  their  Brains.  Mr.  Hamer^ 
having  finifhed  a  Letter  he  was  writing,  ran  out  to  fee 
what  was  the  Matter.  But  he  foon  received  an  Arrow  in 
his  Back,  which  obliged  him  to  retire  into  the  Houfe,  and 
barricade  the  Doors.  Hereupon  the  Indians  fet  Fire  to  the 
Houfe  ;  but  Harrifon''s,  Boy,  juft  at  that  Inftant,  finding 
his  Mafter's  Gun  load-ed,  {hot  at  Random.  At  the  bare 
Report,  the  Indians  all  fled  ;  and  thereby  left  the  Way 
open,  to  Mr.  Hamer  and  twenty  two  more,  to  get  to  Bald- 
win's Houfe.  Captain  Ralph  Hamer^  all  this  while,  was 
wholly  ignorant  of  what  was  paffing ;  but  coming  to  his 
Brother,  who  had  fent  for  him,  he  met  the  Indians^  cha- 
fing fome  of  the  Englijh,  Whereupon  he  retired  to  his 
ntv/  Houfe,  and  with  only  Spades,  Axes,  and  Brickbats, 
defended  himfelf  and  his  Company,  till  the  Savages  depart- 
ed. Soon  after,  the  Mafl:er  of  a  Ship,  lying  near,  and  per- 
ceiving the  Confufion,  fent  him  fix  Mufketeers  ;  with  whom 
he  recovered  their  Merchant's  Store-houfe,  and  armed  ten 
more ;  and  fo,  with  thirty  other  unarmed  Workmen,  he 
found  out  his  Brother  and  the  refl:,  at  Baldwin^.  But  in 
the  Midft  of  this  miferable  Slaughter  and  Uproar,  a  little 
Houfe  and  fmall  Family,  not  far  from  Martin  s  Hundred, 
at  which  Place  alone  feventy  three  were  flain,  not  only 
efcaped,  but  never  heard  any  thing  of  it,  till  two  Days  after. 
A  T  this  time  alfo.  Captain  Ralegh  Crofhaw  was  in  Pa- 
towmack  River,  trading  in  a  fmall  Bark,  commanded  by 
Captain  Spihnan.  There  an  Indian  ftole  aboard,  and  told 
them  of  the  Maflacre  ;  and  that  Opechancanough  had  been 
pra(£lifing  with  his  King  and  Country,  to  betray  them,  which 
they  refufed  to  do  ;  but  that  the  Indians  of  Wighcocomoco  had 
undertaken  it.  Hereupon  Captain  Spilman  went  thither. 
But  they,  feeing  his  Men  fo  vigilant  and  well  armed,  fuf- 
pe6led  themfelves  to  be  difcovered  ;  and  therefore,  the  bet- 
ter to  colour  their  Guilt,  and  delude  him,  they  gave  him 
fuch  Satisfaction  in  his  Trade,  that  his  Veflel  was  foon  near 
loaded.  After  this.  Captain  Crofhaw  went  up  to  Patow- 
mack.  He  had  been  long  acquainted  with  that  King  ;  who 
now  very  earneftly  entreated  him,  to  fl:ay  with  him,  and  to 
be   his   Friend,   his   Direftor,  and   Captain,  againft   feveral 

P  3  neigh- 


214  ''^^^   History    «/  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.     neighbouring  Nations,  his  mortal  Enemies.      Crojhaw  very 

^"-^>      ^  readily  embraced  his  Offer  ;  as  well  to  promote  fome  pri- 

^-^  Go"  ^^^^  Views  of  his  own  in  Trade,  as  to  keep  him  firm  to  the 

vernor.        EngU/h  Intercft,  and  make  him  an  ufeful  Opponent  and  In- 

ftrument    againft    Opechancanough.      Therefore,   relying  on 

the  Faith   of  this   Barbarian,  he   ventured,  with   one   Man 

only,  to  ftay  behind  at  Patowmack. 

In  the  Beginning  of  this  Year,  before  the  Contrivance 
and  Perpetration  of  this  bloody  Confpiracy  in  Virginia^  the 
unknown  Gentleman  in  England^  who  had  given  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  Pounds,  towards  the  Converfion  and  Educa- 
tion of  Indian  Children,  having  waited  two  Years,  and  re- 
ceived no  fatisfaftory  Account  of  the  effectual  Profecution 
of  his  Defign,  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Company.  Herein 
he  complains,  that  what  was  done  in  that  Affair,  did  by  no 
means  anfwer  his  Expe6lation  or  Intent.  And  he  requires, 
of  the  whole  Body  of  the  Company,  towards  which  he  ex- 
preffes  much  Refpeft,  and  an  entire  Confidence  in  their 
Uprightnefs  and  Integrity,  that,  as  he  had  entrufted  the  Dif- 
pofal  of  that  Money,  a  great  and  painfully  gotten  Part  of  his 
Eftate,  to  their  Care  and  Management,  fo  they  would  fee 
the  fame,  fpeedily  and  faithfully  applied,  to  the  Ufe  intended. 
And  he  further  propofed  to  them,  the  procuring  fome  of  the 
male  Children  of  the  Indians  to  be  brought  over  into  En- 
gland (where  they  might  be  immediately  under  the  Com- 
pany's Eye  and  Infpe6tion)  there  to  be  educated  and  taught, 
and  to  wear  a  Habit,  as  the  Children  of  Chriji-Church  Hof- 
pital  do.  In  that  Cafe,  he  defires,  that  the  five  hundred 
and  fifty  Pounds  might  be  converted  to  that  Ufe  ;  and  he 
faithfully  promifes,  to  add  four  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds 
more,  to  make  the  former  Sum  a  thoufand,  as  foon  as 
eight  or  ten  Indian  Children  fhould  be  placed  in  London^ 
either  in  Chriji's-Hofpital^  or  in  the  Virginia  School  or  Hof- 
pital,  as  it  might  be  called  ;  which,  he  doubted  not,  would 
be  Yearly  augmented,  by  the  Legacies  and  Gifts  of  good 
Men.  But  if  they  liked  not  this  Propofition,  then  it  was 
his  humble  Suit  and  Motion,  that  the  former  Gift,  of  five 
hundred  and  fifty  Pounds,  fhould  be  immediately  applied, 
and  wholly  beftowed,  upon  a  Free-fchool  in  Southatnpton 
Hundred,  or  fuch  other  Place,  as  he  or  his  Friends  fhould 
approve  :  That  in  this  School,  properly  endowed  with  fuch 
Privileges,  as  thev,  in  their  Wifdom,  ftiould  think  fit,  both 
Englijh  and  Indians  fhould  be  promifcuoufly  taught  and 
brought  up  together  ;  and  that  great  Care  fliould  be  taken, 
to  fend  over  fuch  a  Mafter,  as  fhould  bring  a  found  Tefti- 
monial,  of  his  Sufficiency  in  Learning,  and  Sincerity  of  Life. 
And   fo  praying,  that  the  Lord   would  give  them  wife  and 

under- 


i^SS^ 


vernor. 


Book  IV.     The   History   ?/  VIRGINIA. 

underftanding   Hearts,  that   his  Work  herein  might  not  be 
negligentl  '  i  crioi  i   ed,  he  concludes,  and  fubfcribes  himfelf^ 
Dn/i  and  AJhes  ;   a  Name  which    he    had  ever,  from  the  firft,  ^'''  ^'-anch 
affumed  and  made  Ufe  of,  in  this  Affair.  ^^'^''  ^°- 

This  important   Letter  being  read  in  Court,  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys    gave  the   Company  a  particular   Account    of   that 
whole  Bufinefs  :  That  the  Money  had  been  brought,  in  the 
Time   of  his  being  Treafurer  :  That,  upon    mature    Deli- 
beration, it  was   refolved  by  the   Company,  to  divide  it  be- 
tween Smith's^  since  called  Southampton  Hundred,  and   Mar- 
tin's Hundred  ;  each  to  undertake  for  a  certain  Number  of 
Infidel  Children  :   That  Martin's,   Hundred,  being  then  in  a 
very  weak  and   confufed  Condition,  was  afterwards,  at  the 
Entreaty  of  the  Adventurers,  eafed  from  that  Burthen  and 
Charge,  and  the  Whole -laid  on  Southampton  Hundred  :   That 
that  Society,  confidering  the  Weight  and  Difficulty,  as  well 
as  the   Hazard   of  fucceeding,  were  alfo   very  unwilling  to 
meddle  with  it,  and  offered  an  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  added 
to  the  former  five  hundred  and  fifty,  if  they  might  be  ex- 
cufed   from    it  ;  but  being  earneftly  preffed,  they  did  at  laft 
yield   to   accept  and   undertake  it :    That  after  much   and 
careful  Confultation,  it  was  agreed  by  that  Society,  to  em- 
ploy the  faid   Money,  together  with  a  far  greater  Sum  out 
of  the   Society's   Purfe,  to   furnifh  out  Captain  Bluet^  with 
eighty  able  and  fufficient  Workmen,  for  fetting  up  an  Iron- 
Work  in  Virginia  ;  whereof  the  Profits  accruing,  were  in- 
tended and   ordered,   in  a  ratable    Proportion,  to  be  faith- 
fully  employed,    in   educating   thirty   Indian   Children,   ac- 
cording to  the   Directions  and  Intent  of  the  Donor  :    That 
Letters  were  likewife  fent  to  Sir  George  Yeardley^  then  Go- 
vernor of  Virginia^  and  Captain  alfo  of  Southampton  Plan- 
tation ;    not  only  giving   him  large   Advice   and    Dire6tion 
therein,  but  alfo  commending  the  Excellency  and   Piety  of 
the   Defign,  and  adjuring  him   to  employ  his  utmoft   Care 
and  Induftry  in  it,  as   a  Work,  whereon  the  Eyes  of  God 
and   Men  were   fixed  :   That  in   Anfwer  hereto.  Sir  George 
informed  them,   how  difficult  it  was   to  obtain   any  of  the 
Children,  with  the   Confent  and  good  Liking  of  their  Pa- 
rents ;  as  well   on   Account  of  their  Tendernefs  and  Fond- 
nefs  of  them,  as  out  of  their  Fear  of  hard  Ufage  from  the 
EngUJh :   That  he  therefore   recommended   a   Treaty  with 
Opechancanough  \  which   was   accordingly  ordered,   and  Sir 
Gaorge    promifed,   to    ufe   his    utmoft   Endeavours   therein : 
That  this   Backwardnefs  and  Jealoufly  of  the  Indians  w?l?,  not 
the  only  Hindrance  to  that  pious  Work  ;  for  Captain  Bluet 
dying  foon  after  his  Arrival,  it  occafioned  another  great  Stop  : 
That,  however.  Care  had  fince  been  taken,  to  reftore  that 

P  4  Iron- 


2i6  "The    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  IV. 

1622.     Iron- Work,  by  a  frefh  Supply  ;  fo  that  he  hoped,  t-bf^  Gen- 

' r tleman  would  foon  receive  good  Satisfa£tion,  concerning  the 

^^  •^'■'^"'^"  Difpofal   and    EfFedl:  of  his   Charity,  as  he  was  fure,  they 
vernor.       would,  at   all    times,  be  both    ready  and   willing   to  give  a 
faithful  Account  of  the  Employment  of  the  faid  Money. 

Sir  Edwin  Sandys  further  faid,  that  as  he  could  not  but 
highly  commend  the  Gentleman,  for  this  his  worthy  and 
moft  chriftian  Adlion,  fo  he  had  obfei-yed  great  Inconveni- 
ency  to  arife  from  his  Modefty,  by  fhunning  Oftentation  and 
vain  Glory,  and  concealing  his  Name.  For  they  were  there- 
by deprived  of  that  mutual  Help  and  Advice,  which  they 
might  otherwife  have,  by  Conference  with  him.  Neither 
could  he  receive  fuch  clear  Satisfaction,  or  fully  know,  with 
what  Integrity  and  Care,  the  Affair  had  been  managed  ;  the 
fuccefs  whereof  muft  be  fubmitted  to  the  Will  and  Pleafure 
of  Almighty  God,  as  it  had  been  already  commended  to  his 
Bleffing.  But  as  to  the  two  Methods,  now  propofed  in  his 
Letter,  he  doubted  greatly  for  his  Part,  whether  either  of 
them  would  attain  the  defired  Effe<Sl.  For,  to  fend  for  them 
to  England^  would  be  far  from  anfwering  the  End,  if  he 
might  judge  from  the  Experience  of  thofe,  brought  over  by 
Sir  Thomas  Dale.  And  to  build  a  Free-fchool  for  them  in 
Virginia.,  he  feared,  confidering,  in  their  prefent  Dotage  on 
Tobacco,  that  no  proper  Workmen  could  be  had,  but  at 
exceffive  Rates,  it  would  rather  tend  to  exhaufl:  this  facred 
Treafure  in  fome  fmall  Edifice,  than  to  accomplifh  fuch  a 
Foundation,  as  might  fatisfy  Mens  Expectations  and  Defires. 
He  therefore  again  wifhed,  that  a  Meeting  might  be  had, 
between  the  Gentleman,  or  his  Friends,  and  the  Society  of 
Southampton  Hundred.  That  fo,  all  things  being  fully  de- 
bated, and  judicioufly  weighed,  fome  Courfe  might  be  en- 
tered upon  and  purfued,  for  advancing  and  bringing  to  EffeCl 
fo  pious  and  excellent  a  Work  ;  for  which  he  prayed  the 
BleiTing  of  Almighty  God  to  be  upon  the  Author  :  And  all 
the  Company  anfwered,  and  faid.  Amen. 

But  this  charitable  Gentleman,  however  ftudious  he  was 
to  conceal  himfelf,  was  afterwards  (if  any  Credit  may  be 
given  to  Captain  Martin's  Report)  found  to  be  Mr.  Ga- 
briel Barber.,  the  chief  Manager  and  Book-keeper  of  their 
Lotteries,  and  a  very  worthy,  honeft,  and  ufeful  Member 
of  the  Company.  He  was  himfelf  then  prefent,  and  heard 
this  Account,  with  which  he  feems  to  have  been  fatisfied. 
For  he  made  no  farther  Demand  or  Stir  in  the  Matter  ;  but 
continued  afterwards,  in  the  time  of  their  fubfequent  Quar- 
rels and  Diffenfions,  a  very  hearty  and  ftrenuous  Friend  to 
the  Company.  Mr.  George  Ruggles  alfo,  Fellow  of  Clare- 
Hall,  in  Cambridge,  and   a   Brother  of  the  Company,   did, 

the 


Book  IV.     Voe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

the  latter  End  of  this  Year,  notwithftanding  the   News  of 

the  MafTacre,  bequeath  an   hundred  Pounds,  for  the  Educa-' 

tion  of  Indians.      He  is  reprefented  as  a  Gentleman,  who  was  ^"'  ^'^'^"cis 

efteemed,  in  that  Univerfity,  fecond  to  none  in  Knowledge     ^'"'^ 

'    .  -^  .  o     vernor. 

and  Learning,  of  very  great  Wifdom  and  Underftanding, 
of  fingular  Honefty  and  Integrity  of  Life,  and  very  fincere 
and  zealous  in  Religion.  And  he  had,  for  the  three  laft 
Years  of  his  Life,  almoft  wholly  exercifed  and  employed  his 
Time  and  Abilities,  in  the  Service  of  the  Colony.  For,  be- 
fides  the  Counfels  and  Affiftancesof  himfelf  and  his  Brethren, 
in  their  feveral  Places,  he  wrote  divers  Treatifes,  for  the 
Benefit  of  the  Plantation  ;  particularly  one  concerning  the 
Government  of  Virginia.,  which  is  often  mentioned,  in  the 
Company's  Records,  with  Commendation,  efpecially  by 
Sir  Edzviji  Sandys. 

But  there  fucceeding,  immediately  upon  this  violent  and 
injurious  Affault,  a  continual  and  exterminating  War  be- 
tween the  Englifh  and  the  Indians.,  all  the  Difficulties  of  their 
Converfion  were  greatly  encreafed  ;  and  I  do  not  find,  what 
farther  was  done,  with  Relation  to  thefe  Benefactions.  The 
College  People  alfo  received  a  great  and  deadly  Slaughter 
in  the  MafTacre  ;  which,  together  with  the  Death  of  Mr, 
Thorpe.,  their  grand  Principle  of  Life  and  A6lion,  caufed 
them  to  abandon  the  College  Lands,  and  to  retire  lower 
down  the  River,  to  fuch  Places  as  were  more  defenfible 
againft  the  fudden  Afl'aults  and  Inroads  of  the  Indians.,  be- 
caufe  of  the  greater  Numbers  of  People,  and  the  nearer 
Situation,  and  more  ready  Affiftance,  of  other  Plantations. 
Thus  did  that  brutifli  and  unhappy  People  tear  up,  as  it 
were,  with  their  own  Hands,  the  Foundations,  which  had 
been  laid,  for  their  Converfion  to  Chriftianity  and  Civility 
of  Life.  For  altho'  the  Company,  in  London.,  did  after- 
wards frequently  enter  upon  ferious  Confultation,  about  re- 
ftoring  again  and  fetting  forward  this  charitable  Work,  yet 
by  reafon  of  their  own  Troubles,  and  of  the  Fa6lions  and 
Difcords  among  themfelves,  nothing  therein  was  ever  brought 
to  Effect.  So  that,  from  this  time,  there  was  no  publick 
Attempt,  nor  any  School  or  Inftitution,  purpofely  defigned 
for  their  Education  and  Converfion,  before  the  Benefa6lion 
of  the  late  Honourable  Robert  Boyle.,  Efq;  which  fhall  be 
fully  related,  in  its  proper  Time  and  Place. 

But  whilft  the  Colony  in  Virginia  lay  under  the  Preflure 
and  Calamity  of  this  bloody  MafTacre,  the  Company  in  En- 
gland were  greatly  rejoiced  and  encouraged,  by  the  favour- 
able Account  of  things,  which  they  received,  about  that 
time,  from  the  Governor  and  Council.  For  they  were  in- 
formed, by  their  Letters,  that  all  the  Ships  were  fafely  arrived, 
2°  without 


2l8  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

1622.     without  the  Lofs  of  one  Perfon,  by  Sea  or  Land  ;  that  Mr. 
^'""V""^  John  Berkeley  had  put  the  Iron  Works  in  fo  good  a  For 
^  ^'"'^""^  wardnefs,  that   he  doubted   not  to  begin  to  make  Iron,  by 
vemor.    °   Whitfuntide  ;  that  the  Cotton  Trees  profpered  exceedingly 
well  ;   that   the  Frenchmen  declared  the  Mulberry  Trees  of 
Virginia  to  be  of  the  very  beft   Kind  ;  and  daily,  by  their 
Example,  encouraged  the   People  to   plant  them  in  Abun- 
■'  dance,   fo  that  they  were  in  high  Expectation,  of  fhortly 

fucceeding  in,  and  bringing  to  Perfe6lion,  that  rich  Com- 
,  modity  of  Silk  ;  that  the  French  Vignerons  had  conceived 
great  Hopes,  of  fpeedily  making  Plenty  of  good  Wine, 
whereof  they  had  already  made  an  Experiment,  and  fent 
home  a  Tafte  by  that  Ship  ;  and  in  fhort,  that  they  now 
had  a  fairer  Profpedt,  and  more  certain  Hope,  than  ever  yet, 
of  foon  becoming  a  rich  and  flourifliing  Country.  For 
which  joyful  News,  and  happy  Succefs,  the  Company  voted 
and  refolved,  that  a  Sermon  fhould  be  preached,  to  teftify 
and  exprefs  their  Thankfulnefs  to  God,  for  his  Blefling  on 
their  Labours  and  Undertaking.  And  Mr.  Copeland^  a  Bro- 
ther of  the  Society,  who,  by  his  hearty  Zeal  for  the  En- 
terprife,  was  well  acquainted  with  the  Succefs  of  their  Af- 
fairs, for  the  laft  Year,  was  requefted  to  undertake  the 
Performance  of  this  holy  Exercife  ;  which  he  accordingly 
did,  at  Bow  Church,  the  17th  Day  oi  April. 

M  R.  Copeland  was  alfo  himfelf,  foon  after,  publickly  en- 
treated by  the  Company,  to  go  over  in  Perfon  to  Virginia^ 
and  to  apply  himfelf  to  the  Miniftry  there.  And  in  Con- 
fideration  of  his  good  Services  and  worthy  Endeavours, 
which  had  redounded  much  to  the  Honour  and  Benefit  of 
the  Colony,  as  alfo  in  Refpe6l  of  his  known  Sufficiency  and 
Worth,  they  conftituted  him  one  of  the  Council  of  State, 
and  appointed  him  Re6lor  of  the  College  for  the  Converfion 
of  Indians^  to  receive,  as  a  Salary,  the  tenth  Part  of  the 
Profits  arifing  from  their  Lands  and  the  Labours  of  their 
Tenants  ;  and  alfo  to  have  the  Paftoral  Charge  of  the  College 
Tenants  about  him,  which  were  to  be  ere6led  into  a  Par- 
fonage,  according  to  the  Company's  general  Order  in  that 
Behalf.  But  this  Defign,  together  with  all  their  fanguine 
Hopes  and  Ideas  of  an  immediately  rich  and  profperous 
Country,  was  dafhed  to  Pieces,  and  cut  ofF,  by  the  Mafla- 
cre.  The  Iron-Work  on  Falling  Creek,  in  particular, 
was  entirely  ruined  and  demoliflied,  and  Mr,  John  Berkeley 
flain,  with  all  his  Workmen  and  People,  except  one  Boy 
only  and  a  Girl,  who  found  Means  to  hide  themfelves,  and 
efcape.  Their  Preparations  likewife,  for  other  Commodi- 
ties and  Manufactures,  were  quite  deftroyed  and  deferted  ; 
the  People,  all  this  Summer,  being  in  fuch  a  State  of  Ter- 
ror 


Book  IV.     "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  219 

ror  and  Flight,  that  they  did  not  even  make  Corn  for  their      ^622. 
Support  and  Subfiftence.  *'~""^y— — ^ 

To  this  fad  Pofture  of  Affairs  in  the  Colony,  was  added ^'''  ^'''^""* 
the  continual  Increafe  of  the  Company's  Diflenfions  and  P^-^Jnor. 
nimofities  at  home,  which  became  daily  more  furious  and 
irreconcileable.  Captain  Argall  and  that  Fadlion,  omitted 
no  imaginable  Methods  of  Vexation  and  Trouble  ;  and  the 
more  to  difparage  and  perplex  the  Company's  Proceedings, 
they  were  perpetually  raifing  new  Authors  and  frefh  Sub- 
jedis  of  Complaint,  as  well  to  the  Publick,  as  moft  efpe- 
cially  to  the  King,  and  to  the  great  Lords  and  powerful 
Perfons  of  his  Court.  It  hath  been  already  faid,  that  Cap- 
tain "John  Martin  came  over,  one  of  the  Council  of  State, 
in  the  firft  Adventure  ;  and  there  hath  been  frequent  Oc- 
cafion  fince,  to  mentioa^his  weak  Condu6l  and  Behaviour 
here.  This  Gentleman  was  well  born,  and  nearly  related 
to  Sir  'Julius  defar^  then  Mafter  of  the  Rolls.  In  the  Time 
of  Sir  Thomas  Smiths  Treafurerfhip,  he  had  furreptitioufly 
obtained  a  Grant,  to  be  Mafter  of  the  Ordinance  in  Vir- 
ginia ;  as  alfo  a  moft  extravant  and  illegal  Patent  for  Land, 
at  the  Place,  which  he  himfelf  named  Martin's  Brandon. 
For,  by  the  exprefs  Words  of  his  Majefty's  Charter,  the 
Company  was  reftrained  to  their  four  great  and  general 
Quarter  Courts,  one  to  be  held  each  Term,  for  tranfa6ling 
any  Bufinefs  of  great  Importance,  and  particularly  for  grant- 
ing Lands  in  Virginia.  But  both  thefe  Grants,  to  Captain 
Martin.^  had  been  pafled  in  a  private  Court,  called  purpofely 
for  that  Jobb,  and  could  never  after  receive  the  Aflent  and 
Confirmation  of  a  Quarter  Court.  For  the  Company,  be- 
ing apprifed  of  the  Matter,  ftrongly  oppofed  their  Execu- 
tion, and  endeavoured  to  keep  them  from  taking  EfFeil. 
Captain  Argall  in  particular,  when  Governor  of  Virginia.^ 
had  fent  home  grievous  Complaints,  againft  the  Exorbitan- 
cies  of  Martini  Patent  and  Behaviour ;  and  both  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith  and  Alderman  'Johnfon.,  at  that  time  Treafurer 
and  Deputy  of  the  Company,  had  been  willing  and  aftifting, 
to  ftop  and  prevent  thefe  Grants  from  being  further  con- 
firmed, and  receiving  the  legal  Sanation  of  a  Quarter  Court. 

But  now,  the  Company's  witholding  Captain  Martin 
from  the  Fruition  of  thofe  Privileges  and  Immunities,  which 
appeared  to  have  been  granted  under  their  Seal,  being,  at 
firft  Sight,  a  fpecious  Pretence  of  Clamour  and  Complaint, 
which  might  be  turned  to  difgrace  and  vilify  the  Juftice  and 
Honour  of  their  Proceedings,  thefe  very  Gentlemen  infti- 
gated  and  aflifted  him,  to  get  a  Certificate  under  the  Hands 
of  feveral  noble  Lords,  and  others,  and  to  have  it  delivered 
in  to  the  Company,  by  one  Captain  Hafwell.  The  Pur- 
port 


vernor. 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

port  of  this  Writing  was  :   That  whereas  "John  Martin  Efq; 
having  been  a  long  and   faithful   Servant   to  the  Colony  of 
\"  ^''^""^  Virg-inia.   defired   a  Teftimonial   of  his   Carriage   and   De- 

fVyat,   Go-  "=>  '.  11       I-  J-  1     •       T^  1     1  1 

meaner  in  all  things,  according  to  their  Knowledge  and 
the  Truth,  they  did  thereby  certify  :  That,  by  the  general 
Confent  of  his  Majefty's  Council  in  England^  for  Virginia^ 
the  faid  Captain  "Johii  Martin  was,  in  the  Face  of  the  pub- 
lick  and  open  Court,  elefted,  chofen,  and  fworn,  one  of 
his  Majefty's  firft  Council  of  Virginia  :  That  afterwards, 
in  the  faid  honourable  and  open  Court,  he  was,  with  the 
free  and  full  Confent  thereof,  appointed,  chofen,  and 
fworn,  Mafter  of  the  Ordinance  in  the  faid  Colony  :  That, 
befides  his  firft  Adventure,  which  was  very  laudable  and 
good,  he  had,  ever  fince,  conftantly  and  very  worthily  en- 
dured all  the  Miferies  and  Calamities  of  fore-paft  Times, 
with  the  Lofs  of  his  Blood,  the  Death  of  his  only  Son  (the 
fole  Hope  and  Comfort  of  his  Age)  together  with  Sicknefs, 
Famine,  and  many  other  inexpreffibly  hard  and  miferable 
Sufferings  :  That  he  had  alfo  providently  and  very  careful- 
ly endeavoured  all  the  Good  and  Benefit  to  the  Plantation, 
that  was  in  his  Power  ;  in  all  things,  upholding  and  labour- 
ing to  maintain,  with  equal  Juftice  and  Clemency,  all  his 
Majefty's  Laws,  Prerogatives,  and  Rights  whatfoever : 
That  for  thefe  honeft  and  worthy  Services,  They,  the  Com- 
pany and  Council  for  his  Majefty,  refident  in  England^  had 
formerly  granted  him  fundry  Privileges,  by  Charter  under 
their  Great  Seal,  for  fettling  a  private  Plantation  upon  his 
own  Allotment  of  Land  in  Virginia  \  wherein  he  had  fince 
proceeded  with  much  Charge  and  Expence,  and  for  which 
they  neither  faw  nor  knew  any  Reafon,  why  he  fhould  not 
be  permitted  to  enjoy  the  fame,  according  to  the  true  Intent 
and  Meaning  of  his  faid  Grant. 

This  Certificate  was  figned  by  the  Earls  of  Pembroke^ 
Warwick^  Leicejier^  and  Montgomery^  by  Lord  Sheffield^ 
Sir  Robert  Manfel^  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  Alderman  "Johnfon^ 
Captain  Argall^  and  a  few  others,  to  the  Number  of  twelve 
in  all.  Being  prefented  to  the  Company,  they  conceived 
themfelves  much  wronged  and  affronted,  that  a  i&w^  Mem- 
bers of  their  Body  ftiould,  in  this  Paper,  affume  to  them- 
felves the  Name  and  Authority  of  the  whole  Company  ; 
ftiling  themfelves,  We^  the  Company  and  Council  for  his 
Majejiy^  here  reftdent  in  England.  And  they  found  them- 
felves under  a  Neceflity  of  doing  fomething,  to  avoid  the 
foul  Afperfion,  contained  therein,  as  if  they  now  went  a- 
bout  to  difavow  their  own  A6t  and  Deed  ;  as  alfo  to  pre- 
vent the  evil  Confequences,  that  might  follow,  and  the  ill 
Conftru6lions,  that  might  be  made  thereon.  Being  there- 
fore 


Book  IV.     T>6^. History  <?/  VIRGINIA.  221 

fore  fully  apprifed,  that  fome  of  the  Lords,  and  others,  had      1622. 

been  miflead  and  betrayed  into  it,  by  the  falfe  Reprefenta-  " v — — ' 

tions  and  malicious  Pra6lices  of  the  reft,  they  drew  up  an  ^'''  ^'''^"C'' 
Anfvver,  and  ordered  their  Secretary  to  make  divers  Copies  ^''^''  ^°~ 
thereof,  which  they  entreated  Sir  yobn  Davers  and  Mr. 
ToniUns^  to  deliver,  as  well  to  fuch  Lords  as  had  finned 
the  Certificate,  as  alfo  to  his  Majefty's  Mafters  of  Requeft. 
For,  by  reprefenting  Captain  Martin^  as  labouring  to  main- 
tain the  King's  Laws,  Prerogatives,  and  Rights  (a  Stile 
exa61:ly  fuited  to  the  Tafte  and  Views  of  the  Court)  it  was 
eafy  to  perceive,  which  Way  it  was  chiefly  intended  and 
addrefled.  But  as  to  the  other  Subfcribers,  the  Secretary 
was  commanded,  to  deliver  each  of  them  a  Copy  himfelf. 

I  N  this  Anfwer  they  fet  forth  :  That  the  Company  are 
limited  and  directed,  -by  his  Majefty's  Charters,  to  their 
Quarter  Courts  only,  for  pafling  of  all  Matters  of  greatell: 
Weight,  and  particularly  for  difpofing  of  Lands  in  Virgitiia  : 
That,  contrary  to  this  fundamental  Law,  notorioufly  known 
to  all  the  Company,  and  frequently  publifhed  and  declared 
to  the  Planters,  as  an  Ordinance  from  his  Majefly  to  be  in- 
violably obferved.  Captain  Martin''?,  two  Grants  w^ere  pre- 
fented  to  an  inferior  private  Court,  ready  engrofled,  the 
Company  not  being  before  acquainted  with  the  Matter : 
That  by  this  Court,  called  extraordinarily,  and  as  it  feems, 
for  this  Bufinefs  only,  the  faid  Patents  were  unlawfully  and 
unduly  paffed,  notwithftanding  the  Diffent  and  Oppofition 
of  divers  then  prefent ;  and  that  they  never  could  after- 
wards have  the  Confirmation  of  a  Quarter  Court  :  That 
the  faid  Patent  for  Land  contained  fundry  tranfcendent  Li- 
berties and  exorbitant  Privileges,  apparently  repugnant  to 
Juftice  and  the  good  Government  of  the  Colony,  and 
which  the  Company,  by  his  Majefty's  Charters,  had  no 
Power  to  grant  :  That  therein  was  given  an  Exemption  of 
all  the  People  within  the  Limits  of  his  Patent,  from  the 
Command  and  Government  of  the  Governor  and  Council, 
and  from  all  other  Charges  and  Services  of  the  Colony 
whatfoever,  except  in  Cafe  of  War  only  ;  as  likewife  a 
Grant  of  an  unlimited  Fifhing,  of  the  fifth  Part  of  all  rich 
Mines,  with  many  other  general  and  indefinite  Liberties  : 
That,  under  Colour  of  thefe  extraordinary  Privileges,  ma- 
ny great  Inconveniences  had  arifen,  to  both  the  Company 
and  Colony  :  That  Captain  Martin  refufed  to  fubmit  him- 
felf to  the  Laws  and  Orders  of  Government  there  :  That 
his  Plantation  was  made  a  Receptacle  and  Harbour  for  all 
diflblute  Perfons,  who  fly  thither  from  ordinary  Juftice  : 
That  all  thefe,  and  many  other  Mifchiefs,  had  been  often 
complained  of  by  the  Colony,  in  their  particular  and  gene- 
ral 


rhe    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book    IV. 

ral  Affemblies  ;  as  alfo  by  the  Governors  there,  and  moft 
efpecially  by  Captain  Argall^  notwithftanding  his  Subfcrip- 
S^  Frawm^ion  to  this  Certificate  :  That,  upon  his  Letter  to  the  Com- 
vernor,  °  P^^Xi  ^"  Order  was  made,  in  a  Great  and  General  Quarter 
Court,  held  in  May  i6l8,  and  a  Committee  appointed,  to 
examine  and  reform  the  faid  Patent  :  That  Sir  Thomas 
Smith  and  Alderman  Johnjhi  then  prefided,  as  Treafurer 
and  Deputy  to  the  Company  ;  fo  that  it  feemed  ftrange  to 
them,  to  find  their  Hands  alfo  to  that  Certificate,  contra- 
di6ling  the  A61  of  that  Great  Court,  wherein  themfelves 
were  the  principal  Managers  and  Dire6lors  :  That  the  faid 
Inconveniencies  had  moreover  been  lately  teftified,  by  feveral 
Perfons,  before  the  Company,  in  open  Court :  But  that  the 
Company  had  nevertheless  frequently  offered,  and  was  always 
ready  to  grant  Captain  Martin  (whofe  Merits  they  fliould 
be  glad  to  hear  of,  and  to  cherifh)  upon  the  Surrender  of 
his  former,  a  new  Patent,  with  as  large  and  ample  Privi- 
leges, as  any  other  had,  or  could  enjoy. 

Notwithstanding  the  Truth,  Juftice,  and  Rea- 
fonablenefs  of  this  Anfwer,  Captain  Martin  preferred  a 
Petition  to  the  King,  containing  many  fcandalous  Suggef- 
tions,  as  well  againft  the  whole  Body  of  the  Company,  as 
againft  fome  fpecial  Members  in  particular.  And  he  ob- 
tained an  Order  from  his  Majeftv,  to  have  his  Caufe  heard 
and  determined,  at  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Houfe,  before  fuch 
Referees,  as  he  himfelf  named  ;  among  which  were  thofe, 
who  chiefly  inftigated  and  fet  him  on.  In  Anfwer  to  this, 
the  Company  made  two  Addreffes  ;  one  to  the  Referees,  in 
like  Manner  as  they  had  done  in  the  Cafe  of  the  Certifi- 
cate ;  and  the  other  to  the  King,  as  well  to  clear  the  Com- 
pany and  fuch  particular  Perfons,  as  flood  accufed  and  de- 
famed in  Martin's  Petition,  as  alfo  to  inform  his  Majefty, 
that  fome  of  thofe,  unto  whom  the  Reference  was  procu- 
red, were  violently  fufpe6ted,  to  be  Captain  Martin's  chief 
Abettors  and  Supporters  in  this  Affair.  They  therefore 
defired,  that  the  Matter  might  be  referred,  together  with 
thofe  Lords  in  Martin's  Reference,  to  certain  other  Lords 
of  the  Privy  Council,  whom  they  named.  But  upon  Lord 
Cavendijh's  prefenting  this,  his  Majefty  faid,  that  he  was 
much  furprifed  at  this  new  Cuftom,  lately  fprung  up,  that 
Petitioners  fliould  chufe  their  own  Referees.  To  which  his 
Lordftiip  anfwered  ;  that,  in  that  Point,  Captain  Martin 
had  been  their  Example,  who  in  his  Petition,  which  his 
Lordfliip  then  produced  and  ftiewed  his  Majefty,  had  named 
his  own  Referees,  which  his  Majefty  had  approved  and  ap- 
pointed accordingly. 

B  UT 


Book  IV.     Voe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

But  not  content  to  give  the  Company  this  Trouble  and 
Difturbance,  Captain  Martin^  together  with  one  Captain 
Robert  Hafwell^  prefented  another  Petition  to  his  Majefty,  Sir  branch 
fetting  forth :  That  in  the  Time  of  Sir  Thomas  Dale's  ^^^^l\ 
Government,  there  was  a  large  Quantity  of  Woodland, 
Marfh,  and  other  Ground,  being  in  Circumference  by 
Efl:imation  about  fourfcore  Miles,  for  which  Sir  Thomas 
Dale  compounded  with  Powhatan^  the  Indian  King,  and 
bounded  the  fame  by  Trees,  and  other  Marks  of  perpetual 
Knowledge  and  Remembrance,  with  a  folemn  ProcelHon  of 
many  of  his  Majefty's  Subjects,  then  and  there  living,  com- 
manding Notice  to  be  taken  thereof,  to  be,  and  always  fo 
called  and  entitled.  The  King's  Foreji :  That  within  the 
faid  Foreft,  there  was  of  Deer  and  wild  Hogs  a  very  great 
Number  ;  which  being'  preferved,  with  Care  and  Judgment, 
from  the  Spoil  and  Havock,  which  continually  was,  and 
would  be  made,  both  of  them  and  their  Brood,  the  Colony 
might  therein  have  a  conflant  Stock  and  Support,  and  Ship- 
ping might,  at  all  times,  be  plentifully  vi6lualled  and  fup- 
plied  :  And  that  there  were  befides,  within  thofe  Limits, 
many  other  profitable  Commodities,  already  known.  They 
therefore  humbly  befought  his  moft  facred  Majefty,  to  take 
the  faid  Foreft  into  his  own  Royal  Hands,  and  to  appoint 
fome  honourable  Perfon,  to  be  Commander  thereof,  autho- 
rifing  him,  to  give  Order  for  converting  the  Plantations 
thereon  to  his  Majefty's  beft  Ufe  and  Behoof,  and  for  ap- 
pointing a  Juftice  of  Oyer,  and  Rangers,  with  fuch  other 
Officers,  as  fhould  be  thought  moft  proper  and  convenient 
for  the  faid  Foreft  and  Plantation. 

To  fuch  a  Height  of  Falfhood,  Fraud,  and  Impofture, 
did  the  Paffions  of  thefe  unhappy  Men  carry  them,  as  thus 
to  give  the  King  at  once,  as  far  as  it  was  in  their  Power,  all 
the  Lands  and  Pofleffions  of  a  very  great  and  principal 
Part  of  the  Colony  ;  who  had,  by  their  Labours  and  Suf- 
ferings, ftruck  out  new  Branches  of  Trade  and  Profit  to 
the  King  and  Nation,  and  well  deferved  all  Manner  of  In- 
dulgence, and  the  utmoft  Security  and  Stability  in  their 
Properties.  But  King  'James  was  not  of  a  Temper,  to 
forego  any  Views  of  Profit  and  Advantage.  He  therefore 
referred  the  Examination  of  the  Matter  to  Sir  Chrijiopher 
Perkins^  one  of  the  Mafters  of  Requefts  ;  who  fummoning 
the  Company,  received  for  Anfwer  : 

That  they  held  not  their  Lands  from  King  Powhatan^ 
nor  acknowledged  any  King  of  Virginia^  but  King  James  : 
That  it  was  true,  for  a  perpetual  Memorial  and  permanent 
Honour  to  his  Majefty  and  his  Royal  Iflue,  they  had  named 
their  chief  Towns,  and  other  moft  remarkable  Places,  after 

the 


224  "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.  the  King  and  his  Children  :  That  they  however  fuppofed, 
^  v^~^this  did  no  way  alter  the  Property  of  Inheritance  in  thofe 
S^  Fra^ai  pjg^gg^  which  his  Majefty,  by  Letters-patent  under  the 
vemor.  °  Great  Seal  of  England^  had  granted  to  the  faid  Company, 
for  and  throughout  all  Virginia :  That  as  to  the  King's 
Foreft,  it  was  a  Name  happily  known  to  Captain  Martin 
and  his  Aflociates,  but  never  before  heard  of  by  the  Com- 
pany :  That  within  the  Circuit,  which  they  had  been 
pleafed  to  appropriate  for  the  Foreft,  were  placed  fames- 
City^  their  chief  Town,  and  Place  of  Refidencefor  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council,  and  divers  other  principal  Seats  and 
Plantations  :  That  as  for  the  Deer,  it  was  true,  the  whole 
Country  did  generally  abound  in  them  ;  but  the  Swine  were 
no  other,  but  the  Breed  of  fuch  as  had  been  tranfported 
thither  by  the  Company  :  That  Captain  Martin  was  a  Per- 
fon,  who  had  ruined  his  own  Eftate,  (if  ever  he  had  any)  as 
alfo  the  Eftates  of  others,  who  had  put  him  in  Truft  : 
That  he  made  his  Territory  in  Virginia  a  Receptacle  of 
Vagabonds  and  Bankrupts  ;  and  was  famous  for  nothing, 
but  all  Kinds  of  bafe  Conditions  and  Actions,  as  had  been 
publifhed  in  Print,  above  ten  Years  before  :  That  he  had 
been  therefore  difplaced  from  the  Council,  by  Lord  Dela- 
warr^  as  a  moft  unworthy  Perfon,  who  had  prefumed,  of 
his  own  Authority,  no  ways  derived  from  his  Majefty,  to 
pafs  unjuft  Sentence  of  Death  upon  divers  of  his  Majefty's 
Subjedls,  and  to  fee  the  fame  put  into  cruel  Execution  : 
That  it  was  therefore  a  Matter  of  great  Surprife  to  them, 
to  find  such  a  Man  dare  to  offer  himielf  to  his  Majefty,  as 
an  Agent,  either  for  Matter  of  good  Hufbandry,  or  good 
Government  :  That  as  to  Captain  Hafwell^  he  was  nei- 
ther Adventurer  in  the  Company,  nor  Planter  in  the  Colo- 
ny, but  a  mere  Stranger  to  both  ;  nor  otherwife  known  to 
them,  than  as  Interpreter  to  a  Polonian  Lord,  of  his  own 
creating  :  That  however,  if  the  King  was  pleafed,  to  have 
a  Royal  Domain  laid  off"  for  him  in  Virginia^  nothing  could 
be  more  joyful  and  agreeable  to  the  faid  Council  and  Com- 
pany, nor  wherein  they  would  more  willingly  employ  their 
Endeavours. 

At  the  fame  time,  Mr.  Pierce^  who  had  been  Cape- 
Merchant  in  Virginia^  underftanding,  that  Captain  Martin 
denied,  that  he  ever  protc6ted  any  within  his  Territories, 
averred,  that  he  had  delivered  feveral  Warrants,  to  be 
ferved  upon  Perfons,  that  lived  loofely  within  Captain 
Martina  Plantation,  and  that  the  Provoft  Marftial  made 
Return,  that  the  faid  Captain  Martin  refifted  the  Officer, 
and  drew  Arms  upon  him,  and  would  not  fuffer  him  to 
execute  the  faid  Warrants.     Others   alfo  affirmed,   that   it 

was 


Book  IV.     the  History    of   VIRGINIA.  225 

was  generally  reported   in   Virginia^  that   Captain  Martin's      162,2. 

Plantation   was  a   Place  of  Refuge    for  all   Debtors;  and*' v ' 

that,  if  he  had   been  of  Power,  there  would  have  been  no  ^"'  P''"""' 
living  in    Virginia.      To  which    Mr.  'Jeff'erfon  added  ;   that,  yernor 
to   his  Knowledge,    Captain  Martin.,  being  fummoned,  had 
refufed  to  obey  the  General  Affemblies.      All  which,  they 
all  declared  themfelves  to  be  ready  and  willing,  whenever 
required,   to  confirm   and  juftify  upon   Oath.      Wherefore, 
in  a  Cafe  of  this  clear  Evidence  and  Truth,  Captain   Mar- 
tin was  not  able   to  carry  his  Point  againft  the  Company. 
He  was  afterwards  induced  to  deliver  up   his  illegal  Patent 
in  open  Court,  to  be  cancelled  ;  and  Orders  were  given  for 
drawing  a  new  one,   with    as  large    and    ample   Privileges, 
as  the  Earl   of  Southampton.,  or  any  other  Adventurer   had.  . 
But  when  this  was   drawn.  Captain    Martin   complained, 
that  he  was  therein  abridged  of  a  great  Quantity  of  Land, 
granted   in  his  former  Patent.      For,  in    that,  ten    Shares 
were   given   him,  in  Reward   of  his  Services  ;  and   he  pre- 
tended,   that  each   of  thofe  Shares   ought  to   be  five   hun- 
dred Acres  of  Land  5  and  he  therefore  claimed  five  thou- 
fand  Acres.      For  this,  he  defired  that  Spot  of  Land,  as  he 
called   it,  at   Martin's   Brandon.,    where   he    had    formerly 
feated,     containing    about     fix    thoufand    Acres,    with    all 
Marfhes  and  funken  Grounds  thrown  in,  as  an  Overplus. 
But  the  Court,  having   never  heard  of  any  Shares  of  five 
hundred   Acres,  and   finding  it  exprefly  directed    by  their 
Charters,  that   no    Share  fhould  exceed  an  hundred  Acres, 
abfolutely  refufed  to  grant    his    Demand.       However,    to 
give  him  Satisfaction,  if  poffible,  they  gave   him   to   a   cer- 
tain  Day,  to  produce   any  Inftance  or  Evidence,  that  there 
had  ever  been  Shares  of  five  hundred  Acres,  and  promifed, 
to  fhew  him  all  lawful  Favour.      But   he    afterwards   per- 
verfely  demanded   the   Re-delivery  of  his  old  Patent ;  and 
the    Court,  being  quite  wearied  out  with  his  Obftinacy  and 
Impertinence,  gave  him  for  their  laft  and  refolute  Anfwer  ; 
That,  if  he  would  accept  fuch  a  Patent,  as  they  could  law- 
fully grant,  he  might  have  it  ;    but  as   for  his  old  Patent, 
they  could  not  deliver  it  to  him  again,  being  void,  not  fo 
much  by  his   Refignation,  as  by  the  Extravagance  and  Ille- 
gality of  the  Grant  itfelf.     Whereupon  he  went  away,  and 
never  fpared,  upon   all  Occafions,  to  load  many  very  wor- 
thy and  deferving  Members  of  the  Company,  with  all  pof- 
fible Scandal  and   Reproach.      But  at  laft  he  accepted  the 
new  Patent,  and  pretended  to  be  fully  reconciled  to  the  Com- 
pany; and  came  to  Virginia.,  with  a  Recommendation  from 
the   Privy  Council,    and   by  their  Means  and  Interpofition, 
even  from  the    Company    themfelves ;    which    Favour    he 
81  Q_  accordingly 


226  "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.      accordingly  requited,  by  propagating  and  fpreading  through 

"^ Y 'the  Country  all  the  Falflioods  and  Calumnies  againft  them, 

Sir  Franajthat  he  could  invent  or  utter. 

Wyat,  Go-  But  befides  Captain  Martin^  fome  others  were  raifed 
vernor,  ^p  ^^^  fuborned,  to  give  in  Complaints  to  the  King,  againft 
the  Company.  One  Jdam  D'lxon^  in  his  Petition,  pre- 
tended to  have  been  hired,  for  the  Service  of  the  Company 
and  Colony,  as  Mafter-Calker  of  their  Ships  and  Vefi'els  in 
Virginia^  at  thirty  fix  Shillings  a  Month,  and  that  having 
ferved  them  many  Years,  he  only  had  received  three 
Pounds  thirteen  Shillings  ;  fo  that  there  v/as  now  due  to 
him  an  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds,  or  there-abouts  :  That 
Captain  Argall  alfo,  in  the  time  of  his  Government,  had 
given  him  and  one  'John  Berry  a  Piece  of  uncleared  Ground, 
on  which  they  had  expended  an  hundred  Pounds  in  a 
Houfe  ;  but  that,  contrary  to  all  Juftice  and  Equity,  they 
had  been  turned  out  of  their  faid  Houfe  and  Ground,  the 
former  Year,  by  Sir  George  Yeardley^  to  their  great  Dif- 
comfort  and  utter  Undoing.  To  this  the  Company  an- 
fwered :  That  the  Matters  of  the  faid  Petition  were  to 
them  utterly  unknown  ;  that  there  was  not,  in  their  Books, 
the  leaft  mention  of  any  fuch  Officer  or  Contra6l  ;  nei- 
ther had  they  any  Inducements,  to  believe  it  to  be  true: 
That  if  anv  fuch  thing  had  pafled,  it  muft  have  been  in  Sir 
Tho?nas  Smith's  Time,  to  whom  they  referred  him,  for  An- 
fwer  and  Satisfa6tion  :  That  as  to  the  Outrage  and  Wrong, 
pretended  to  have  been  done  by  Sir  George  Yeardley^  the 
Petitioner  had  never  yet  complained  thereof  to  them  ;  but 
they  would  take  a  Courfe  for  fpeedy  Juftice  therein,  by 
commending  the  Matter  to  the  Care  and  Examination  of 
the  Governor  and  Council  in  Virginia.  And  the  Affair  was 
accordingly  examined  and  tried  in  our  General  Court,  the 
2lft  of  January  1623-4.  It  then  appeared,  by  the  Oath 
of  Thomas  Gates  and  the  faid  Adam  Dixon^  that  they,  to- 
gether with  John  Berry  and  Thomas  Dingley^  were  hired 
by  Sir  Thomas  S?nith^  upon  Wages,  for  a  certain  Term  ; 
that  their  Wages  were  not  only  never  paid,  but  they  them- 
felves  were  detained,  many  Years  longer,  in  very  hard  Ser- 
vitude ;  and  that  at  laft,  to  free  themfelves,  they  were 
obliged  to  give  Captain  Argall  an  Acquittance,  under  their 
Hands,  for  their  Wages  ;  without  which,  he  threatened, 
they  ftiould  never  be  fet  free.  And  they  further  fwore, 
that  Captain  Argall  kept  them  a  Year  after,  in  his  own 
proper  Service,  without  any  Allowance  of  either  Wages 
or  Cloaths.  But  I  cannot  find,  in  our  Records,  that  they 
profecuted  or  made  any  Complaint  here,  againft  Sir  George 
Teardley^  about  their  Houfe  and  Land. 

One 


Book  IV.     "The    History   of  VIRGINIA.  227 

One   William  Kemp  alfo  prefented  a  Complaint  to  his      ^622. 

Majeftv,  of  the    Grievances   of  certain  Inhabitants  of  Kic-' f^-^ 

quotan  in  Virginia  ;  that  William  fulian.,  "7°^^^^  BuJIj^  and  ^'/  ^^^"'^" 
feme  others,  ancient  Planters,  and  defervino;  Inhabitants  of,„,-if ! 
the  befl  mechanical  Trades,  had  been  turned  out  of  their 
lawful  Poflellions,  by  Sir  George  Teardley^  with  many  Cir- 
cumftances  of  Oppreffion  and  Cruelty.  To  which  the 
Company  anfwered  :  That  the  Parties,  pretended  to  be 
wronged,  had  never  made  any  Complaint  to  them  :  That 
Kemp  had  been  in  England  above  a  Year,  and  had  never 
laid  the  Matter  before  tl)e  Council  and  Company,  where 
Juftice  might  have  been  done  :  That  he  did  not  even  pre- 
tend to  have  Authority  from  the  Parties  grieved,  to  exhibit 
this  Complaint  to  his  Majefty  :  That  they  therefore  faw  no 
Caufe,  to  believe  his  Allegations  to  be  true  ;  but  fufpe6led 
him,  rather  to  be  fet  on  by  the  Malice  of  others,  than 
moved  by  his  own  Zeal  for  Right  and  Juftice  :  That  how- 
ever, according  to  their  Cuftom  in  Caufes  of  the  like  Na- 
ture, they  would,  by  the  firft  Opportunity,  tranfmit  this 
Complaint  to  the  Governor  and  Council  in  Virginia  ;  that, 
if  there  appeared  any  Truth  in  any  Part  thereof,  they 
might  proceed,  as  well  to  the  due  Redrefs  of  the  faid  Grie- 
vances, as  to  the  condign  Punifliment  of  the  Authors  and 
Delinquents.  And  this  Complaint  appears,  from  our  Re- 
cords, to  have  had  this  Foundation  in  Truth  and  Matter 
of  FacSl  ;  that  fome  Perfons  had  fet  down,  at  Kicquotan^ 
upon  the  publick  Land  of  the  Company,  and  were  obliged, 
by  the  Governor  and  Council,  to  go  off.  But  they  how- 
ever had,  either  by  this  time  or  afterwards,  (I  cannot  ex- 
actly fay  which)  Satisfadlion  made  them  for  their  Clearing 
and  Improvements. 

Captain  Matthew  Somers^  who  had  returned  to  En- 
gland with  his  Uncle's  Body,  in  the  Year  16 10,  had,  long 
before  this,  been  a  Prifoner  in  the  King's  Bench.  From 
thence  he  often  pelted  and  tiezed  the  Company,  with  an 
extravagant  Demand  for  his  Uncle's  Adventure  ;  and  altho' 
fomething  confiderable  in  Adventure  appeared,  by  their 
Books,  to  be  due  to  Sir  George  Somers^  yet  they  refufed  to 
pafs  it  over  to  him,  becaufe  he  had  an  elder  Brother  in  the 
Country,  who  was  Heir  at  Law  to  Sir  George^  and  he  could 
not  make  fufficient  Proof,  that  either  his  Uncle  had  be- 
queathed it  by  Will,  or  that  his  Brother  had  made  over  all 
his  Right  and  Intereft  therein  to  him.  In  this  time  there- 
fore of  prefenting  Petitions  to  the  King,  Captain  Somers  alfo 
preferred  his  ;  informing  his  Majefty  :  That  Sir  George  So- 
mers was  forced,  by  Strefs  of  Weather,  to  fave  himfelf  and 
Company,  on  the   Iflands  of  Bermudas^  where  he  loft  his 

Q_  2  Ship, 


228  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.    Book  IV. 

i6aa.      Ship,  and    foon   after,  his  Life  :  That  he,  the   Petitioner, 

^ Y 'being   his  immediate  Heir,   and  then  prefent,  built   a  fmall 

S^  Francis -Q^^]i^^  j.q  convey  his  Company  to  England;  and  left  three 
veirTor  °  Men,  to  Continue  the  Pofleffion  of  thofe  Iflands,  in  his 
Majefty's  Name  :  That  the  Virginia  Company,  hearing 
of  this  Difcovery,  challenged  thofe  Iflands,  as  their  Right, 
altho'  they  were  above  an  hundred  Leasiues  without  the 
Limits  of  their  Grant  ;  and  they  fent  a  Governor,  with 
Men,  to  take  the  Pofl'eflion  from  his  Majefty  :  That  find- 
ing the  Petitioner's  Men  had,  by  their  Induftry,  found  a 
Cake  of  Ambergreafe  of  an  hundred  and  fixty  Pounds 
Weight,  the  faid  Governor  took  it  violently  from  them, 
for  the  Ufe  of  the  Company,  who  fold  it  for  twelve  thou- 
fand  Pounds,  and  likewife  threatened  Violence  to  the  poor 
Men,  to  make  them  confefs  more  :  That  the  faid  Compa- 
ny, fhortly  after,  fold  the  faid  Iflands  to  a  particular  Com- 
pany, for  two  thoufand  Pounds  ;  and  the  poor  Petitioner 
could  never  yet  obtain  any  thing,  either  for  his  Adventure 
or  otherwife,  altho'  he  had  long  and  often  folicited  it,  to 
his  great  Charge  and  utter  Undoing  :  That  thefe,  and  no 
other  Comforts,  could  they,  the  ancient  Adventurers,  re- 
ceive from  the  Company  ;  and  therefore  he  humbly  befought 
his  Majefty,  to  take  into  Confideration  his  own  Royal  Rights 
therein,  and  to  give  Order  for  the  Relief  of  him,  the  poor 
Petitioner. 

To  this  falfe  and  exaggerated  Account  of  that  Affair,  the 
,  Somer-IJJands  Company  gave  in,  for  Anfwer,  much  the  fame 
in  Subffance  and  Purport,  as  I  have  before  related  concern- 
ing it.  And  as  for  Captain  So?ners^  they  deny  him  to  have 
any  jufl  Pretence,  to  flile  himfelf,  either  an  ancient  Adven- 
turer, or  Planter.  For  he  made  a  very  fhort  Abode  there  ; 
and  contrary  to  his  Duty  and  Trufl,  returned  fuddenly  to 
England^  where  he  had  ever  fmce  continued,  without  per- 
forming the  leafl  Service  to  either  Plantation.  They  confefs, 
that  a  Block  of  Ambergreafe  of  very  great  Value  was  found, 
of  which  they  got  about  a  third  Part ;  but  were  not  able  to 
deliver  in  an  exaft  Account  of  its  Worth,  becaufe  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith,  at  that  time  Governor  and  Treafurer  of  their 
Company,  had  hitherto  refufed  to  give  in  any  Account  of 
their  Treafurv.  And  thev  further  fay,  that  they  conceived 
the  Right  to  that  Ambergreafe  to  be  in  the  Virginia  Com- 
pany, at  whofe  Charge,  and  in  whofe  Service,  thofe  three 
Men  had  been  fet  out  and  emploved  ;  but  that  they  had 
neverthelefs,  fince  compounded  with  the  Finders,  fo  that  none 
of  them  had  any  juft  Caufe  of  Complaint,  and  leaft  of  all 
Captain  Somers,  who  could  have  no  Title  or  Pretence  of  In- 
terefl  therein. 

As 


Book  IV.     TZv   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

As  Captain  Argall  had  been  long  .and  a6lively  employed 
in  Virginia^  and  was  confequently  well  acquainted  with  moft 
Perfons  and  PafTages  there,  he  was  ftrongly  fufpefted  to  be  Sir  Francis 
at  the  Bottom  of  thefe  Complaints  and  Petitions  againft  the  ^^''  ^°" 
Company.  They  therefore,  on  their  Part,  refolved  to  pur- 
fue  their  Profecution  againft  him  with  greater  Vigor  ;  and 
they  appointed  a  fele6l  Committee,  to  warn  him  perempto- 
rily to  exhibit  his  Accounts,  and  to  make  a  full  and  fubftan- 
tial  Anfwer  to  fuch  things,  as  the  Company  fliould  charge 
him  withal.  But  he,  being  a  Man  of  good  Senfe  and  Ca- 
pacity, and  of  great  Induftry  and  Refolution,  ftill  foiled 
and  perplexed  their  Proceedings,  and  gave  them  much  Trou- 
ble and  Annoyance,  without  their  being  able  to  bring  him 
to  any  Account  or  Punifliment,  for  all  his  unrighteous 
Gains  and  Extortions  in  Firglnia. 

Captain  Samuel  Each  was  fent,  this  Summer,  in  a 
large  Ship  of  three  or  four  hundred  Tons,  to  build  a  Block- 
houfe  or  Fort,  on  thofe  Banks  which  lie  out  in  fames  River, 
near  Blunt  Point.  This  was  defigned,  to  command  the 
Paflage  up  the  River  ;  and  it  was  judged,  by  divers  of  the 
Inhabitants,  to  be  that,  which  ought  firft  to  be  attempted, 
and  would  be  moft  eafily  effected.  Captain  Each  alfo,  who 
was  efteemed  a  very  honeft  and  fkilful  Man,  having  viewed 
the  Place,  when  in  Virginia^  thought  the  thing  very  feafible. 
But  this  Undertaking,  like  many  others,  ended  with  great 
Charge  to  the  Company,  and  without  any  real  Effect  or 
Advantage.  However,  in  this  Ship  went  over  the  Lady 
IFyat.,  and  Mr.  Barret^  a  Mafter-Shipwright,  (whom  Cap- 
tain Sfnith  calls  Captain  Bariuick)  with  twenty  five  Men, 
to  build  Ships  and  Boats,  together  with  many  Houfe-car- 
penters  for  the  Ea/i-India  School,  and  other  Ufes.  All  thefe 
Perfons,  for  publick  Services,  were  fent  in  the  common 
Method,  ufed  ever  fince  the  Company's  Fund  was  exhauft- 
ed,  by  the  voluntary  Subfcription  of  the  Adventurers  to  a 
Roll.  And  I  likewife  find,  that  one  Mr.  Howe^  who  ftiles 
himfelf  a  Chronicler,  made  a  Demand  upon  the  Company, 
about  this  time,  for  twelve  Pounds  of  Tobacco  ;  which, 
he  faid,  had  been  promifed  him  annually,  in  Confideration 
of  his  Pains  and  Willingnefs  to  ferve  the  Company,  and  to 
relate,  in  his  Book,  the  feveral  Paflages  concerning  Vir- 
ginia. They  granted  him  his  Penfion  for  that  Year,  which 
he  moft  thankfully  accepted.  But  he  either  never  perform- 
ed the  Service,  or  is  at  leaft  a  Writer  of  that  Obfcurity  and 
Infignificancy,  that  I  neither  know,  nor  can  find  any  thing 
of  him. 

Before  the  Eleilion  of  Officers  came  on  this  Year, 
the   Company,   in  a  previous   Court,   exprelled  their  great 

Q_  3  Satif- 


rZv   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

Satisfa<£lion  in  the  Earl  of  Southampton  ■&  Adminiftration  ; 
'and  they  made  it  their  humble  Defire  and  Entreaty  to  his 
Sir  ^'■^"^'i  Lordfhip,  which  was  entered  upon  their  Records,  that  he 
-^i'  °' would  vouchfafe,  to  hold  the  Place  of  Treafurer,  for  one 
Year  more.  But  the  Earl  of  Southampton  was  very  obnoxi- 
ous to  the  Court,  on  Account  of  his  Principles  of  Liberty, 
and  his  bold  and  refolute  Oppofition  to  an  exceffive  Prero- 
gative. The  King  therefore  endeavoured  once  more,  to  put 
him  out  of  the  Government  of  the  Company.  For,  at  the 
time  of  Election,  Alderman  Hamerjley  and  Mr.  Bell  deli- 
vered a  Meffage,  in  his  Majefty's  Name,  fignifying  :  That 
altho'  it  was  not  his  Defign  or  Defire,  to  infringe  their  Free- 
dom of  Ele6lion,  yet  it  would  be  highly  pleafing  to  his  Ma- 
jefty,  if  they  would  make  Choice,  for  Treafurer  and  Depu- 
ty, of  any  of  thofe  Gentlemen,  whofe  Names  were  written 
in  a  Paper,  then  prefented  to  the  Court.  In  this.  Sir  "John 
IFolJienholme,  Sir  IVllllam  Ruffel,  Mr.  Clltheroe,  Mr.  Mau- 
rice Ahbot^  and  Mr.  Handford^  were  propofed  to  their  Choice 
for  Treafurer  ;  and  for  Deputy,  Mr.  Leat^  Mr.  Robert 
Offley,  Mr.  Stiles,  Mr.  Abdy,  and  Mr.  Bateman.  The 
Company  expreffed  great  Joy  and  Satisfaftion,  for  this  Tef- 
timony  of  his  Majefty's  Notice  and  good  Wifhes  to  the  Co- 
lony, and  of  his  gracious  Intention,  not  to  infringe  their 
Privilege  of  free  Election.  But  becaufe,  by  their  Rules  and 
Orders,  three  only  at  a  time  could  ftand  for  either  of  thofe 
Places,  they  firft  put  it  to  the  Vote,  which  two,  of  the  five 
recommended  by  the  King  for  Treafurer,  (liould  be  put  in 
Eledfion,  with  one,  whom  the  Companv  fliould  name. 
Mr.  CUtheroe  and  Mr.  Handford  were  chofen  to  ftand  in  E- 
leclion,  and  the  Company  named  the  Earl  of  Southampton  ; 
who  was,  upon  the  Ballot,  chofen  by  a  vaft  Majority,  he 
having  an  hundred  and  feventeen  Balls,  Mr.  CUtheroe  thir- 
teen, and  Mr.  Handford  feven.  In  like  Manner,  thev  chofe 
Mr.  Leat  and  Mr.  Bate?nan,  to  ftand  for  the  Place  of  De- 
puty Treafurer,  to  whom  the  Company  added  Mr.  Nicho- 
las Farrar,  who  was  alfo  eleiled,  by  having  an  hundred 
and  three  Balls,  Mr.  Bateman  ten,  and  Mr.  Leat  eight. 

The  Earl  of  Southampton  was  then  abfent  ;  and  indeed 
feems,  purpofely  to  have  abftained  from  their  Courts  at  fuch 
times,  to  fhew,  that  thefe  things  were  carried,  not  bv  any 
Art  or  Ambition  of  his  own,  but  merely  by  the  free  Choice, 
and  unbiaffed  AfFe6tion  of  the  Company.  But  Mr.  hlicho- 
las  Farrar,  being  prefent,  took  his  Place,  as  Deputy  Trea- 
furer, and  returned  Thanks  to  the  Companv,  for  this  ho- 
nourable Teftimony  of  their  Love  and  Efteem,  wherein  he 
ftiould,  all  his  Life,  exceedingly  glory  and  rejoice.  And  he 
farther  declared  his  Senfe  of  the  Weight  and  Difficulty  of  the 

'Office, 


Book  IV.     rhe    History    of   VIRGINIA.  231 

Office,  and  of  his  own  Inability.      But  not  to  trouble  them       1622. 

with  any  felf-denying  Intreaties,  he  promifed,  to  the  Utmoft ' y ' 

of  his  Power,  to  perform  the  Charge  they  had  laid  upon^"'  ^''""'^'^ 
him  ;  and  befought  the  Honourable  the  Lords,  and  the  other  yg/jfor^ 
worthy  Gentlemen  and  Officers,  with  their  Counfels  to  di- 
re61:,  and  the  whole  Court,  with  their  Prefence  to  affift  him, 
in  the  Execution  of  his  Office.  And,  in  particular,  he  de- 
fired  them,  to  requeft  his  Brother,  Mr.  yohn  Farrar  (in 
Confidence  of  whofe  Affiftance  and  Dire61:ion,  he  well  knew, 
they  had  chofen  him)  to  continue  the  fame  Care  and  Pains, 
he  had  formerly  done.  Whereupon  Mr.  fohn  Farrar  pro- 
mifed, not  to  flack  any  thing  of  his  former  Zeal  and  Dili- 
gence, in  the  Bufinefs  ;  and  the  Company,  in  thankful  Ac- 
knowledgement and  Approbation  of  his  great  and  faithful 
Services,  in  the  Place  'of  Deputy-Treafurer,  for  the  three 
lafl  Years,  beflowed  upon  him  twenty  Shares  of  Land,  old 
Adventure.  And  they  further  ordered,  that  together  with 
the  Gift,  it  fhould  be  entered  on  their  Records,  that  the 
Court  conceived  his  Services  and  Merits  to  be  fo  great,  that 
had  not  their  Liberality  been  bounded,  within  the  Compafs 
of  twenty  great  Shares,  they  would,  for  him,  have  exceed- 
ed it  with  a  much  larger  Proportion,  And  the  fame  Quan- 
tity had  alfo  been  beflowed  upon  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  in  his 
Abfence,  the  former  Year,  with  a  like  honourable  Tefti- 
mony  and  Acknowledgment  of  his  Services  and  Deferts. 

The  Company  alfo  requefted  the  Lords  CavendiJJ?^  Pa- 
get^ and  Houghton^  to  prefent  their  moft  humble  Thanks  to 
his  Majefty,  for  his  Remembrance  and  good  Wifhes  to 
their  Affairs ;  and  to  inform  him,  with  what  Reverence 
and  Refpe6l,  his  MelTage  was  received  ;  but  that  the  Elec- 
tion had  fallen  upon  the  Earl  of  Southampton^  with  an  al- 
mofl:  unanimous  Confent,  the  Company  having  found,  that 
the  Plantation  had  profpered,  each  of  the  three  laft  Years, 
more  than  in  ten  before  ;  and  that  more  had  been  done 
with  ten  thoufand  Pounds,  than  formerly  with  fourfcore 
thoufand.  And  they  further  conceived,  that  as  their  Staple 
Commodities  were  then  in  eltablifhing  and  perfecting,  and 
as  the  Government  of  the  Country  was  to  be  fettled  and 
confirmed,  equal  Sufficiency,  in  their  Governors  and  Di- 
rectors, would  not  fo  much  advance  the  Plantation,  as  the 
Variablenefs  of  InftruCtions  and  Methods,  in  the  Chanp-e  of 
Officers,  proceeding  from  different  Conceptions  and  Ways 
of  thinking,  would  prejudice  and  retard  the  Bufinefs.  But 
his  Majefty  was  not  well  pleafed  to  find,  that  out  of  fo  large 
a  Number,  as  were  recommended  by  him,  not  one  had 
been  chofen  ;  and  he  faid,  he  conceived  Merchants  to  be 
fitteft,  for  the  Management  of  fuch  Undertakings,  becaufe 

0.4  of 


rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

of  their  Experience  and  Skill  in  Staple  Commodities.  In 
Confirmation  of  which,  he  inftanced  Sir  Thomas  Smith's 
Sir  -F'-aw"  Government,  in  whofe  time  many  Staple  Commodities  had 
jVyat,  Go- 1^  ^  J.  which  wcfc  now  laid  down,  and  only  Tobacco 
raifed  or  attempted.  To  which  Lord  Cavendijh  replied, 
that  in  this,  as  well  as  many  other  Particulars,  relating  to 
the  Company  and  their  Proceedings,  his  Majefty  had  been 
very  grofly  mifinformed  ;  that  the  following  Tobacco  only, 
and  negledling  all  other  Staple  Commodities,  had  been  the 
Fruits  of  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  and  Alderman  John/on  s  Go- 
vernment ;  but  that  fince,  they  had  laboured,  with  all  In- 
duftry.  Care,  and  Diligence,  to  ere£t  Iron- Works,  plant 
Vineyards,  make  Silk,  and  raife  other  fuch  valuable  Com- 
modities, of  fome  whereof,  they  hoped,  fhortly  to  give  his 
Majefty  a  Proof;  and  he  faid,  that  fince  Sir  Thomas  Smith's 
Time,  the  Colony  had  grown  to  almoft  as  many  thoufands 
of  People,  as  he  left  hundreds,  befides  a  very  great  Increafe 
of  their  Cattle.  And  his  Lordfhip  further  aflured  his  Ma- 
jefty, that  fome  of  the  Perfons  recommended,  being  in 
Court,  did  then,  and  moft  of  them  have  otherwife  fince, 
publickly  acknowledged  and  declared,  that  they  would  ne- 
ver have  accepted  thofe  Places  ;  profefTing  themfelves,  thro' 
Want  of  Experience,  and  a  Adultitude  of  other  Bufinefs,  fo 
very  unfit  and  unequal  to  the  Charge,  that  they  fhould  cer- 
tainly have  brought  back  the  Bufinefs  more,  in  one  Year, 
than  it  had  gone  forward  and  profpered,  in  the  laft  three. 

Soon  after  this,  the  News  of  the  Mafi^acre  in  Virginia 
arrived.  This  Event,  fo  unexpefted,  and  fo  contrary  to 
all  their  Hopes  and  Profpeits,  was  received,  by  the  Com- 
pany, with  inexpreflible  Grief;  which  was  not  a  little  ag- 
gravated, that  fo  many  had  fallen,  by  the  Hands  of  Men  fo 
contemptible,  and  after  fuch  plain  Warnings,  as  Opechan- 
canough's  Attempt  to  poifon  the  whole  Colony,  and  efpe- 
cially  the  Death  of  Nemattanow  had  given.  And  they  were 
therefore  very  loud  in  their  Complaints  againft  the  Condu6l 
of  the  Governor  and  Colony  ;  never  confidering,  how  eafy 
and  natural  it  would  be,  to  retort  upon  them  (as  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council  a6lually  did)  their  own  conftant  and 
prefling  Inftrudllons,  to  win  the  Indians  over  by  Courtefy 
and  Kindnefs,  to  give  them  familiar  Entertainment  in  their 
Houfes,  and  if  it  were  poflible,  to  draw  them  to  live  toge- 
ther and  cohabit  with  the  Englijh.  However,  all  good  and 
fenfible  Men  thought  not  the  worfe  of  the  Enterprife,  for 
thefe  Difafters  ;  but  many  publick-fpirited  Adventurers  un- 
dertook feveral  new  Plantations,  and  divers  Ships  were  dif- 
patched  away,  with  fuch  Supplies  and  Affiftance,  as  were 
thought  fufiicient.     The  King  alfo  was  fo  far  fenfible  of  the 

Lofs 


Book  IV.      "The   History    of   VIRGINIA.  233 

Lofs  of  fo  many  of  his  SubjecSls,  and  of  the  miferable  State      ^622. 
of  the  Colony,  that  he  made  them  a  Gift  of  Arms  out  of  the  ''-'~y'"^-^ 
Tower;    fuch   indeed,  as   were  unferviceable   in   Europe  a-^"'  •^"''^"f" 
gainft    equal    Enemies,   yet   might,   with   a  little  Trimming  y^^^^^J^ 
and  Repair,  be  made  very  ufeful  againft  the  Indians.      And 
for  immediate  Difpatch,  his  Majelly  lent  twenty  Barrels  of 
Powder,  upon   the   Security  of  the  Company's  Seal,  after- 
wards to  repay  it.      He  likewife  promifed,  to  levy  four  hun- 
dred  young    Men,  out   of  the   feveral  Shires,  to  be  fent  to 
Virg'uiia^  in  Supply  of  thofe,  that  had  perifhed   in  the   Maf- 
facre  ;  but  he  never  could  be  brought,  tho'  often  follicited 
by  the  Company,  to  make  that  Promife  good.     The  Lord 
St.  John  of  Baftng^  alfo  gave  fixty  Coats  of  Mail,  for  the  De- 
fence of  the  Colony  ;  and  the  City  of  London.^  with  many 
private  Perfons,  were  rRuch  concerned  at,  and  very  forward 
to  contribute  towards  the  Repair  of  this  Lofs. 

Captain  Smithy  with  Mr.  Stockham  and  Mr.  Whita- 
ker.^  two  Clergymen  of  Note  in  the  Colony,  had  ever  been 
of  Opinion,  that  the  Ways  of  Gentlenefs  and  Kindnefs  would 
never  be  fufficient  to  bring  the  Indians  over  ;  and  had  there- 
fore recommended,  that  Mars  and  Minerva  fliould  go  Hand 
in  Hand,  as  well  in  their  Converfion,  as  in  all  other  Tranf- 
aftions  and  Intercourfe  with  them.  But  they  were  too  fan- 
guinary  in  their  Notions  of  the  Matter.  For  Mr.  Stockam 
plainly  declares,  that,  until  the  Throats  of  their  Priefts  and 
Elders  were  cut,  there  could  be  no  Hopes  of  their  Conver- 
fion -,  and  Captain  Smith  frequently  mentions,  and  infinuates 
to  Imitation,  the  deteflable  Example  of  the  Spaniards.,  in 
their  Conqueft  of  the  Weji-Indies.  They  were  indeed  fome- 
thing  excufable,  if,  their  Patience  being  worn  out  by  a  long 
Experience  of  the  Perfldioufnefs,  Bafenefs,  and  almoft  in- 
vincible Brutality  of  that  People,  they  at  laft  gave  too  much 
Way  to  the  Di6lates  of  Anger  and  Violence.  Captain  Smithy 
in  particular,  thought,  that  there  had  long  fince  been  given 
juft  Occafion,  to  profecute  them  with  War,  and  entirely  to 
conquer  and  fubdue  them  ;  and  he  now  looked  upon  the 
Maflacre,  as  rather  an  Advantage  than  Detriment,  as  it 
would  open  the  Eyes  of  the  Englijh,  and  fet  them  upon  their 
Guard,  and  would  give  them  juft  Grounds  for  a  War,  even 
to  their  utter  Extirpation,  and  thereby  contribute  to  the  fu- 
ture Security  and  fpeedy  Advancement  of  the  Colony.  And 
this  indeed  feems  to  have  been  the  general  Opinion  of  the 
Times,  For  the  Company  themfelves,  in  a  Letter  this 
Year  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  declare,  that  they  faw 
fuch  a  Difpofition  in  Mens  Minds,  as  made  them  think, 
that  this  Addition  of  Price  had  endeared  the  Purchafe,  and 
that  the  Blood  of  thefe  People  would  be  the  Seed  of  the 
ea  Planta- 


234  "^ke   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.  Plantation.  And,  for  their  own  Parts,  they  thought  it  a 
*~^^''~~^  Sin  againft  their  dead  Brethren,  who  had  loft  their  Lives  in 
^ii Z^'"'^"''"  it,  to  abandon  or  give  over  the  Enterprife,  till  they  had  ful- 
vemor.       ^7  Settled  and  got  Pofleffion  of  the  Country. 

Captain  Smith  likewife,  upon  this  Occafion,  offered 
his  Service  to  the  Company.  He  propofed,  that  they  Ihould 
tranfport  him,  with  an  hundred  Soldiers  and  thirty  Sailors, 
and  all  proper  Provifions  and  Ammunition  ;  and  fliould  give 
him  a  Bark  of  an  hundred  Tons,  with  Means  and  Materials, 
to  build  fix  or  feven  Shallops,  to  tranfport  his  Men  from 
Place  to  Place,  as  Occafion  required  ;  and  then  he  under- 
took, to  form  a  flying  Camp,  and  to  range  about  and  tor- 
ment the  Indians^  till  he  either  obliged  them  to  quit  the 
Country,  or  brought  them  into  fuch  Fear  and  Subjeftion, 
that  every  Man  fhould  follow  his  Bufinefs  in  Peace  and  Se- 
curity. And  as  to  the  Support  and  Subfiftence  of  this  Par- 
ty, he  thought,  if  his  Majefty  were  truly  informed  of  the 
Neceflity  and  Benefit  of  the  thing,  he  would  give  the  Cuf- 
toms  of  Virginia  for  a  time.  For,  without  fome  fuch  Me- 
thod, it  was  much  to  be  doubted,  whether  there  would 
come,  in  a  (fw  Years,  either  Cuftom,  or  any  thing  elfe, 
from  thence  to  England.  And  he  doubted  not,  but  that 
the  Planters  would,  according  to  their  feveral  Abilities,  con- 
tribute towards  fo  ufeful  and  necefl^ary  a  Defign.  But  he  in- 
fifted,  that  the  Governors  fhould  not  be  permitted,  by  Vir- 
tue of  their  Authority,  to  take  his  Men  away,  or  any  thing 
elfe,  to  employ  them,  as  they  thought  proper.  And  he  far- 
ther promifed,  to  make  the  beft  Ufe  of  his  Experience,  as 
well  within  the  Limits  of  Virginia.^  as  New-England.^  to 
bring  them  both  into  one  Map,  with  all  the  Countries,  that 
lay  between  them.  As  to  the  Reward  of  his  own  Pains 
and  Danger,  he  afked  not  any  thing,  but  what  he  could 
raife,  from  the  proper  Labour  of  the  Savages  themfelves. 

This  Propofal  was  well  approved  by  moft,  that  heard 
it ;  but  fuch  were  their  Divifions  and  Confufion  at  that 
time,  that  he  could  obtain  no  other  Anfwer,  but  that  the 
Expence  would  be  too  great,  and  their  Stock  was  exhaufted  ; 
and  they  thought,  the  Planters  fhould  do  fomething  of  that 
Nature  themfelves,  if  they  could  find  fufficient  Means  to 
ef?e£l  it.  However,  he  was  given  to  underftand,  as  he  tells 
us,  that  if  he  would  undertake  the  thing  upon  his  own  pri- 
vate Account,  he  might  have  the  Company's  Leave  ;  pro- 
vided, they  might  have  half  the  Pillage.  But  he  rejecSted 
this  Intimation  with  Scorn  ;  thinking,  that  all  the  Pillage 
of  thofe  poor  and  naked  Barbarians,  except  a  little  Corn,  to 
be  had  at  fome  times  of  the  Year,  would  not,  in  twenty 
Years,  amount  to  twenty  Pounds.     But  I  fufped:,  that  all 

this 


Book  IV.     The  History   of  VIRGINIA. 

this  only  pafled  in  Converfation,  or  was  at  moft  privately 
talked  at  their  Courts,  without  ever  being  brought  regular-* 
ly  before  the  Company.  For  I  have  the  Company's  Re-^""  Planets 
cords  of  that  time,  now  in  my  Poffeflion,  in  which  there  vg^^oJ. 
is  not  the  leaft  Mention  of  any  fuch  Proportion,  altho' 
things  of  a  trivial  and  much  more  minute  Nature  are  moft 
exactly  entered.  Neither  does  it  feem  confiftent  with  the 
Chara6ler  of  the  Company  and  its  Leaders,  who  gave  a 
fair  Courfe  and  Debate  to  all  Proportions  offered,  and  were 
rather  profufe  in  their  Expences  for  the  good  of  the  Colony, 
than  lying  upon  the  Catch  for  little  Advantages  and  mean 
Gains.  However,  the  Captain's  open  Nature,  and  Simpli- 
city of  Honefty,  might  be  blinded  by  crafty  and  defigning 
Men,  and  eafily  made  believe,  that  that  came  from  the 
Company,  which  had  really  never  come  under  their  Cog- 
nifance,  or  been  laid  before  them. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Colony  in  Virginia^  being  much 
frightened  at  this  lamentable  and  unexpected  Difafter,  re- 
folved  to  abandon  all  the  petty  Plantations,  and  to  draw  the 
People  together,  to  make  good  five  or  fix  of  the  beft  and 
moft  defenfible  Places.  Nay,  fo  great  was  the  Terror  and 
Alarm,  that  many  Perfons  were  urgent,  to  abandon  'James 
River,  and  to  retire  to  the  Eajlern  Shore^  where  they  might 
eafily  fortify  and  defend  themfelves  againft  the  Indians.  And 
for  quieting  thofe,  who  were  many,  the  Governor  was 
obliged  to  hold  fome  Councils,  under  Colour  of  confidering 
their  Propofal,  but  yet  with  a  full  Refolution,  never  to  take 
fo  unadvifed  and  deftru6live  a  Step.  However,  many  Plan- 
tations were  quitted  by  Authority  ;  and  all  the  People  were 
drawn  together  to  Shirley  Hundred^  Flower-de-Hundred^ 
"James-Town^  with  Pafpahey  and  the  Plantations  right  op- 
pofite,  Kicquotan^  and  Southampton  Hundred -y  to  which 
were  added,  by  the  Obftinacy  and  Refolution  of  their  Ow- 
ners, Mr.  Samuel  Jordan''^  Plantation,  now  called  Jordan^s 
Pointy  znd  New  port's- News.  For  Want  of  Boats  and  other 
Conveniencies,  it  was  impoflible,  on  fuch  a  fudden,  to  fe- 
cure  and  bring  off  all  their  Cattle  and  other  Goods,  which 
were,  for  the  moft  part,  after  their  Departure,  burnt,  ru- 
ined, and  deftroyed  by  the  Indians.  But  Mr.  Gookin^  at 
Newport' s- News ^  refufed  to  obey  the  Order  of  Government, 
and  draw  off  his  People  ;  and  having  got  together  thirty 
five  of  all  Sorts,  he  fecured  his  Plantation,  and  defended 
himfelf  and  Company  againft  all  their  Affaults  and  Incur- 
fions.  The  like  was  alfo  done  by  Mr.  Samuel  Jordan  ;  and 
by  Mrs.  ProSior^  a  proper,  civil,  and  modeft  Gentlewo- 
man, who,  with  an  heroic  Spirit,  defended  her  Eftate  for 
a  Month,  till  (he,  with   all  with  her,  were  obliged,  by  the 

Englijh 


236  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.     Eyiglijh  Officers,  to   go  with  them,  and  to  leave  their  Sub- 

' ^^""^ftance  to  the   Havock  and  Spoil  of  the  Enemy.     Mr.  Ed- 

%-arGo^"^^^^    ///■//   alfo,   at    Elijah eth- City ^   altho'    much    Mifchief 
vernor       ^^^  done  to  his  Cattle,   yet   did   himfelf  alone   defend   his 
Houfe,  whilft  all  his  Men  were  fick  and  unable  to  give  him 
any  Affiftance. 

Captain  Thomas  A'ifZfr^,  Deputy  and  Superintendant 
of  the  Company's  Lands,  forefeeing  the  Difficulties  and 
Famine,  that  muft  necefTarilv  enfue,  caufed  as  much  Corn 
as  poffible,  to  be  planted  at  El'i fab eth- City ^  where  he  com- 
manded ;  whilft  others  deftroyed  even  that,  which  had 
been  before  planted,  fearing,  it  might  be  of  Service  to  the 
Indians^  and  trufted  wholly  to  Relief  by  Trade  or  from 
England^  which  had  ever  been  one  of  the  principal  Caufes 
of  their  Miferies.  For,  Supplies  from  England  were  very 
precarious,  and  liable  to  many  Accidents  and  Difappoint- 
ments,  and  had  been,  formerlv  at  leaft,  very  ftingily  af- 
forded :  And  the  Trade  for  Corn,  with  the  Natives,  was 
ufually  carried  on  by  Men  of  Subftance,  to  their  own  Gain 
and  Advantage,  and  as  it  was  complained,  efpecially  by 
the  Company's  Enemies,  to  the  great  Oppreffion  of  the 
poor  and  fuffering  Inhabitants.  But  Captain  Newce  called 
all  his  next  adjoining  Neighbours  to  his  Houfe,  and  omitted 
nothing,  to  relieve  their  Wants  and  Neceffities.  He  like- 
wife,  with  all  Speed,  entrenched  himfelf;  mounted  three 
Pieces  of  Ordinance  ;  funk  a  Well  of  frefli  Water  j  and 
foon  put  himfelf  into  a  Pofture  of  Defence,  above  the  Fear 
of  any  Danger  or  Aflault  from  the  Enemy.  In  all  thefe 
Works,  he  atled  the  Part  of  a  Sawyer,  a  Carpenter,  or  a 
Labourer ;  till  he  brought  upon  himfelf  many  Sickneffes, 
and  at  laft  a  Dropfy,  to  the  very  great  Grief  of  his  Fami- 
ly, and  of  all  under  his  Government.  The  latter  End  of 
yune,  Sir  George  Yeardley^  in  his  Way  to  Accomack^  ftaid 
three  or  four  Days  with  Captain  Newce^  being  accompa- 
nied by  the  Council,  and  many  other  gay  Gentlemen.  The 
Captain,  being  opprelTed  with  fo  large  a  Company,  com- 
plained, to  one  of  the  chief  among  them,  of  the  Want  of 
Provifions.  Whereupon  he  gave  the  Word  to  the  reft, 
and  they  entered  the  Fields  of  Corn  near  the  Fort,  which 
were  the  beft  guarded  and  preferved  from  the  Ravage  of 
the  Enemy,  and  altho'  the  Ears  were  fcarce  half  grown, 
they  devoured  and  made  a  miferable  Walte  among  it.  But 
it  muft  be  obferved,  that  this  Particular  relies  wholly  on 
the  Authoritv  of  Captain  Smithy  who  was  himfelf  abfent, 
and  whofe  Relations  of  thefe  times  were  chiefly  taken  from 
Perfons  of  the  opponent  Fa£l:ion.  They  are  therefore  always 
to  be  fomewhat  fufpe6led  ;  and  efpecially  in  this  Story,  as  it 

claQies 


Book  IV.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

clafhes  fo  much  with  Sh'  George  Teat'dley's,  general  Charac- 
ter, and  the  univerfal  Love  and  Efteem,  which  he  obtained' 
from  the  Colony.  However  Captain  Newce  was  certainly  a  ^"^  ^''^"'^'f 
Man  of  great  Goodnefs  and  Merit.  As  long  as  he  had  any  ^J^^l 
thing,  his  Company  fhared  it  equally  with  him  ;  and  when 
all  was  fpent,  being  obliged  to  live  on  Crabs  and  Oyfters, 
they  fell  into  a  very  weak  and  feeble  Condition.  Yet 
Captain  Newce  diftributed  among  them,  as  he  faw  Occa- 
fion,  a  little  Milk  and  Rice,  which  he  (till  had  left  ;  and 
behaved  himfelf,  in  all  things,  with  fuch  a  fatherly  Ten- 
dernefs  and  Care,  that  he  obtained  the  Reputation,  of  be- 
ing the  Commander,  throughout  the  whole  Country,  that 
took  the  moft  continual  Pains  for  the  Publick,  and  did  the 
leaft  Good  for  himfelf,  of  all  others.  On  the  9th  of  Sep- 
teynher^  his  Men  were-'attacked  at  their  Labours,  by  the 
Indians^  which  was  the  firft  Aflault,  they  had  made  fince 
the  MalTacre,  and  four  were  flain.  The  Captain,  altho' 
extremely  Tick,  fallied  forth  to  engage  them  ;  but  they, 
hiding  themfelves  in  the  Corn  and  other  lurking  Places, 
efcaped  his  Vengeance.  Soon  after,  this  worthy  Gentle- 
man died  ;  and  the  Company,  in  Confideration  of  his,  as 
well  as  her  own  Merit,  granted  his  Widow  a  Moiety  of 
the  Labours  of  the  Tenants,  due  to  his  Place,  till  another 
Perfon  fhould  be  appointed  to  fucceed  him.  And  after- 
wards, in  a  Letter  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  they  or- 
dered her  the  whole  Profits  of  their  Labour  for  the  follow- 
ing Year,  with  no  fmall  Commendation  of  her  Virtue  and 
Defert. 

Captain  Ralegh  Chrojhaw  was,  all  this  while,  at  Pa- 
towmack^  with  one  Man.  He  had  not  been  long  there, 
before  Opechancanough  fent  two  Bafkets  of  Beads  to  fapa- 
zaus^  the  King,  to  kill  them  ;  affuring  him  of  the  Slaugh- 
ter he  had  made,  and  that  before  the  End  of  two  Moons, 
there  fhould  not  be  an  Engli/htnan  left  in  all  their  Coun- 
tries. yapa%aus  difcloied  this  to  Captain  Chrofiaw^  who 
exprefled  great  Scorn  and  Contempt  for  Opechancanough^ 
whofe  Treachery  and  Cowardife  he  had  feen  fufficiently 
tried  by  Captain  Smithy  when  he  took  him  Prifoner,  at  the 
Head  of  feven  hundred  Men.  After  two  Days  Delibera- 
tion, yapazaus  made  Anfvver,  that  the  Englijh  were  his 
Friends,  and  Opitchapan^  the  Indian  Emperor,  his  Brother  ; 
and  that  therefore,  there  fhould  be  no  Blood  fhed  between 
them,  by  his  Means.  He  alfo  returned  the  Prefent  of 
Beads,  advifing  the  Pamunkeys  to  come  no  more  into  his 
Country,  left  the  EngUJJ:)^  though  againft  his  Will,  fhould 
do  them  a  Mifchief.  But  the  Englijh  Colony  concluded 
Chrojhaw  undoubtedly  dead,  till  Captain  Hamer  came  to  Pa~ 

towmack^ 


238  T^he    History    of  VIRGINIA.    Book  IV. 

i62z.     towmack^  in  June^  to  trade  for  Corn  ;  where  he  found  him 

' Y 'fafe,  and  was  kindly  entertained  by  both  him  and  the  King. 

S-  aroo  ^^  ^^^  King's  Diredion  and  Affiftance,  he  affaulted  and 
vernor.  °  toolc  a  Town,  where  was  fome  Corn  ;  and  at  his  Depar- 
ture, he  left  Captain  Chrojhaw  four  Men  more.  Chrojhaw 
receiving  continual  Alarms,  retired  with  thefe  to  a  Place  of 
Advantage,  where,  with  the  Afliftance  of  the  Patowmacks, 
he  foon  fortified  himfelf,  fufficiently  againft  all  fuch  wild 
AiTailants.  Soon  after,  he  was  vifited  by  Captain  Newce  \ 
from  whom  underftanding  the  miferable  State  of  the  Colo- 
ny, he  offered,  if  they  would  fend  him  a  bold  Shallop,  with 
Provifion  to  trade,  and  proper  Arms  and  Men,  to  provide 
them  Corn  fufficient,  after  the  getting  in  their  Corn  ;  but 
as  yet,  it  being  but  the  latter  End  of  fune^  he  told  him, 
there  was  little  or  none  in  all  the  Country. 

Newce  communicating  this  to  the  Governor  and  others, 
Captain  Ifaac  Maddifon  was  fent,  with  thirty  odd  Men, 
in  a  Ship  and  fmall  Bark.  His  Commiflion  from  the  Go- 
vernor, exprefly  charges  and  requires  him,  to  aflift  and  de- 
fend their  Friends  and  Confederates,  the  Patowmacks^  a- 
gainft  the  common  Enemy  ;  to  prote6l  them  and  their  Corn, 
to  his  utmoft  Power  ;  and  in  his  Carriage,  as  well  towards 
them  as  the  Enemy,  to  difcharge,  faithfully  and  circum- 
fpedlly,  the  great  Truft,  repofed  in  him,  as  he  would  an- 
fwer  the  fame,  at  his  Peril.  But  juft  at  that  time,  Captain 
Chrojhaw  had  received  a  Letter  from  Mrs.  Boyce^  a  Woman 
of  Figure,  who  was  Prifoner,  with  nineteen  more,  at  Pa- 
munkey.  Having  fome  Profpe6l  of  recovering  their  Liber- 
ty, he  went  to  "James-Town^  with  two  Chiefs  of  the  Pa- 
towmacks^  to  follicit  the  Governor,  and  to  enter  into  Mea- 
fures  for  their  Releafe.  But  before  this,  Opechancanough 
had  returned  an  infolent  Anfwer  to  the  Governor's  Meffage, 
concerning  reftoring  the  Englifh  Captives,  and  had  treated 
the  King's  PicSlure  with  great  Difhonour  and  Contumely. 
The  Engli/}}  alfo  diffembled  their  Intents,  and  pretending 
Peace  and  Friendfhip,  invited  the  Indians  back,  to  plant 
their  Corn  at  their  ufual  Habitations  ;  which  being  now 
grown  up,  fo  as  to  make  the  Lofs  irreparable  by  a  new 
Crop,  the  Governor  was  preparing,  with  five  hundred  Men, 
to  make  a  {harp  and  vigorous  War  upon  them,  efpecially 
upon  Opechancanough  and  his  bloody  Adherents  ;  and  hoped, 
by  deftroying  their  Corn,  and  other  Means,  to  drive  them 
quite  out  of  the  Country.  As  to  the  lawful  Emperor,  O- 
pttchapan^  who  by  this  time  indeed  was  only  an  Emperor 
in  Name,  he  feems  very  greatly  to  have  difapproved  of  the 
Maflacre.  For  I  find  him,  early  the  next  Year,  fending 
Chanco^  Pace's  Chrijiian  Convert,  who  difcovered  the  In- 
dian 


Book  IV.    "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  239 

dian  Confpiracy,   to    afTure    Sir   Francis   JVyat^  that    if  he      1622. 
would   fend  ten  or  twelve  Men,  he  would  give  up  the  reft" — ^^       ' 
of  the  Engli/h^  Prifoners,  that  were   in   his   Poffeffion  ;  ^'^^^.^I^'^q^I 
would  alfo  deliver  his   Brother  Opechancanough^  the  Author  ^g^j^^j; 
of  the   Maflacre,    into   the   Hands  of   the    Englijh^  either 
alive  or  dead.      Captain    Tucker  was  accordingly  fent  upon 
this   Service,   but  without  the   defired    Succefs.      However 
Opitchapan   fent   back  Mrs.   Boyce^  naked   and   unapparaled, 
in  Manner  and  Fafhion,  like  one  of  their  Indian  Queens. 

For  thefe  Reafons,  the  Governor  was  unwilling,  at  that 
Jun6lure,  to  hear  of  any  Treaty  with  Opechancanough  ;  and 
Captain  Chrojhaw's  Journey  to  James-Town  was  in  vain  ; 
but  his  Abfence  from  Patowmack  had  a  very  unhappy  Con- 
fequence,  on  another  Account.  For,  Maddifon  was  a  Man 
of  a  jealous  and  timorous  Nature  ;  and  not  liking  to  live 
among  the  Savages^  as  Chrojhaw  did,  he  built  himfelf  a 
ftrong  Houfe,  within  Chrojhaw's  Fort,  and  there  foon  rofe 
great  Coldnefs  and  Referve  between  him  and  the  Patow- 
macks.  There  was  alfo  then  at  Patowmack  an  exile  King, 
who  was  inwardly  exafperated  at  Japazaus^  becaufe  he 
would  not  aflift  him  in  the  Recovery  of  his  Kingdom. 
This  fubtle  and  malicious  Barbarian  did  therefore,  in  Re- 
venge, forge  a  Plot,  as  if  Japaxaus  and  the  Patoxvmacks 
were  in  Treaty  with  Opechancanough^  how  to  cut  off  and 
deftroy  the  Englijh  there.  And  to  give  his  Lye  the  greater 
Credit  and  Air  of  Probability,  he  wrefbed  and  applied  fe- 
veral  Circumftances,  that  had  lately  happened,  to  this  De- 
fign.  Maddifon^  naturally  fearful  and  fufpicious,  was  a- 
larmed  at  this,  and  made  his  Men  ftand  pun£tually  to  their 
Arms.  Some  time  after,  under  Pretence  of  Bufinefs,  he 
fent  for  the  King  to  his  ftrong  Houfe  ;  where  having  locked 
him,  his  Son,  and  four  others  up,  and  fet  a  Guard  of  five 
EngUjhmen  upon  the  Houfe,  he  fell  on  the  Town,  with 
the  reft  of  his  Company,  and  flew  thirty  or  forty.  Men, 
Women,  and  Children.  The  poor  King,  being  furprifed 
at  fuch  an  unexpe6led  Affault,  called  out,  and  begged  him 
to  ceafe  from  fo  undeferved  a  Cruelty.  But  he  gave  not 
over  the  Execution,  till  he  had  flain,  or  put  to  Flight,  all 
in  the  Town.  Then  he  returned,  and  taxed  the  King  of 
Treachery,  who  denied  it  bitterly,  and  told  him,  it  was 
fome  Contrivance  of^thofe,  who  wifhed  his  Deftru6lion, 
for  being  a  Friend  to  the  Englijh.  After  that,  Maddifon  led 
him,  his  Son,  and  two  others  to  his  Ship,  promifing  to  fet 
them  at  Liberty,  as  foon  as  his  Men  were  all  fafely  {hip- 
ped ;  and  the  King,  very  readily  and  effe6lually,  ordered 
his  Subje6ls,  not  to  fhoot  at,  or  annoy  the  Engli/h.^  whilft 
they    were    going    on    board.      But    notwithftanding    this. 

Mad- 


240  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

1622.      Maddifon^   contrary   to   all    good   Faith,    carried    them   Pri- 

^-^"^^ 'foners   to    James-'Toiv7i  ;   where    they    lav,   till    the    Odiober 

^'^  '^'''"'''■''following,  when  they  were  carried  home  by  Captain  Ha- 
vernor,  '"^''i  ^ho  tooK  a  Quantity  or  Corn  tor  their  Kanlom. 
However,  this  perfidious  Dealing  did  not  pafs  off,  entirely 
without  Notice  or  Animadverfion.  For,  A'Ir.  John  Poimtis^ 
as  a  Cafe  properly  belonging  to  his  Office  of  Vice-Admiral, 
afterwards  lodged  a  Complaint  againft  fome  Perfons,  who 
going  out  to  trade  with  the  Indians^  under  Pretence  of 
Friendfhip,  and  in  the  Governor's  Name,  had  feifed  their 
Perfons,  and  fometimes  taken  their  Lives,  and  fometimes 
their  Goods,  for  nothing,  or  at  their  own  Rates,  contrary 
to  all  Laws  human  and  divine,  and  to  the  Dilhonour  of 
God's  Name,  of  the  King,  and  the  whole  Englijh  Nation. 
Altho'  this  was  conceived  in  general  Terms,  fo  as  to  reach 
all  other  Perfons,  guilty  of  the  fame  Crime,  yet  we  are 
told,  in  the  A61  of  Court  itfelf,  that  it  was  chiefly  levelled 
againft  Maddifon  and  Hatner.  And  fome  Examinations  a- 
gainft  them  were  accordingly  taken  ;  but  by  Reafon  of  Ha- 
rrier's Sicknefs,  and  Maddifon  s  Abfence,  who  foon  after 
returned  to  England^  the  Suit  dropped,  and  never  proceed- 
ed to  full  Trial. 

This  rafli  and  unadvifed  Adtion  of  Maddfon  (not  to 
call  it  by  any  worfe  Name)  was  of  very  ill  Confequence  to 
the  Colony.  For  they  were  thereby  cut  off  from  all  Hopes 
and  Pretenfions,  to  trade  for  Corn  on  that  River  ;  w^hich 
was  then  their  only  Refuge  and  Dependance,  as  the  In- 
dians^ in  all  the  other  Parts  of  the  Country,  were  in  an 
open  and  declared  War  with  them,  and  as  they  themfelves 
had  not  attempted  any  thing  of  a  Crop,  left  the  Corn, 
when  grown  up,  fhould  give  Means  and  Opportunity  for 
Affaults  and  Ambufcades.  Captain  Chrojhaw's  Defign  was 
alfo  quite  defeated  ;  who  intended  to  make  Japazaus  a  pro- 
per Inftrument  and  Ally  againft  Opechancamugh.  For  he 
had  at  his  Command  above  two  hundred  fighting  Men,  in 
the  Town  of  Patoiumack  ;  and  was,  befides,  a  Perlon  of 
great  Intereft  and  Authority,  throughout  the  whole  River, 
being  a  Kind  of  petty  Emperor  there,  and  unwilling  to 
own  Subjedlion  to  the  other  Emperors,  whom  he  always 
affected  to  treat,  rather  as  Brethren  than  Superiors.  It  was 
therefore  probably  thought,  that  Chrojhaw  would  have 
fucceeded  in  his  Scheme,  and  might  eafily  have  made  him 
rife  againft  a  Power,  which  he  was  before  jealous  of,  and 
always  looked  upon,  as  ufurped  and  oppreffive. 

However  Captain  Henry  Spibnan^  who  had  been  pre- 
ferved  by  the   Means   of  Pocahontas^  and  had  lived  feveral 
Years   at    Patowmack^  relying  on  his  Intereft  and  Acquain- 
tance 


Book.  IV.     Ti-^   History   ^/VIRGINIA.  241 

tance  with  them,  ventured  to  go  thither,  in  a  Bark,  with  ^^2.2. 
twenty  fix  Men,  to  trade  for  Corn.  But  himfelf,  with  ^'"'^''^"^ 
twenty  one  more,  were  furprifed  and  flain  by  the  Pafcoti-  ^  Franas 
cons^  the  greateft  People  in  thofe  Parts.  They  immediate-  vemor. 
ly  boarded  the  Veffel  in  their  Canoes,  and  entered  fo  faft, 
that  the  five  Men,  left  to  guard  her,  were  in  the  utmoft 
Amazement,  till  a  Sailor  gave  fire  to  a  Piece  of  Ordinance 
at  Random ;  the  bare  Report  whereof  fo  frightened  the 
poor  Savages,  that  they  leaped  overboard,  and  forgetting 
their  Canoes,  fwarm  afhore.  Soon  after,  they  heard  a  great 
Noife  among  them,  and  faw  a  Man's  Head  thrown  down 
the  Bank  ;  whereupon  they  weighed  Anchor,  and  returned. 
And  thus  died  this  unfortunate  Gentleman,  who  was  of  a 
good  Family  in  England.  He  had,  three  Years  before, 
been  tried  and  found  guilty,  of  depreciating  and  under- 
mining the  Governor's  Authority,  by  telling  Opechancanough^ 
that  a  Great  Man  (meaning  the  Earl  of  Warwick)  would 
foon  come,  and  take  his  Place.  For  which  Crime,  they 
thought  it  a  Mercy  to  fpare  his  Life  ;  but  they  however 
degraded  him  from  his  Captainfhip,  and  condemned  him, 
to  be  a  Servant  to  the  Colony  for  feven  Years,  in  Quality 
of  Interpreter  ;  for  which  Office  he  was  peculiarly  fitted, 
by  having  long  lived,  and  been  very  converfant,  among  the 
Indians. 

Edward  Waters.,  one  of  the  three,  that  ftaid  in  the  Iflands 
of  Bermudas.,  and  found  the  great  Block  of  Ambergreafe, 
dwelling  in  Virginia.,  at  the  time  of  the  MafTacre,  was 
himfelf,  together  with  his  Wife,  taken  and  kept  Prifoners 
by  the  Nandfamonds.  But  this  P'all,  fome  EngUfh.,  near 
Neiuporfs-News.,  were  furprifed  in  fo  great  a  Storm,  that 
altho'  the  Men  faved  their  Lives,  the  Boat  was  loft  ;  which 
was  caft,  by  the  Winds  and  Waves,  upon  the  Shore  of 
Nandfaryiond.  The  Indians.,  finding  it,  were  fo  bufied, 
with  Songs,  and  Dances,  and  Invocations,  according  to 
their  Manner  of  Triumph,  that  Waters  and  his  Wife  found 
Means,  to  get  fecretly  into  one  of  their  Canoes,  and  crofled 
the  River,  nine  or  ten  Miles  over,  to  Kicquotan  ;  where 
they  were  received  with  no  lefs  Joy  and  Wonder  by  the 
Englijh.,  than  their  Efcape  gave  Anger  and  Vexation  to  the 
Indians. 

Shortly  after.  Sir  George  Yeardley  and  Captain  Powel^ 
each  with  a  Company  of  Gentlemen  Volunteers,  went  to 
feek  the  Enemy.  But  all  being  fled,  except  three,  which 
Captain  Powel  met  by  Chance  and  flew,  they  burnt  their 
Houfes,  deftroyed  every  thing,  they  could  find,  and  fo  re- 
turned. Three  hundred  Soldiers,  the  beft,  they  could 
chufe,  were,  not  long  after,  raifed  and  embarked  in  con- 
'"'^  R  venient 


242  fke   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

i62j.     venient  Veflels,  under  the  Conduct  of  Sir  George  Teard/ey, 

^■^'v 'with  all  things  neceffary  for  the  Expedition.     They  went 

Sn  Francn  f^J.^  to  Nandfamond  \  where  the  Indians  fet  fire  to  their 
venior.  °  ^^^"^  Houfes,  fpoiled  all  they  could,  and  then  fled  away, 
with  what  they  could  carry  off.  So  that  the  EngUfh  had 
no  Opportunity  to  make  any  Slaughter  of  them.  But 
their  Corn  being  newly  gathered,  they  feized  all,  they 
could  find  j  burnt  the  Houfes,  which  the  Inhabitants  had 
in  their  Hurry  left  unburnt  ;  and  fo  departed.  From  thence 
they  went  to  Pa?nunkey^  the  chief  Seat  of  Opechancanough . 
He  did  not  appear  himfelf ;  but  the  Indians  there  feemed 
exceedingly  aftoniftied,  and  promifed  to  bring  them  all  the 
Englijh^  yet  living,  and  to  reflore  their  Arms,  and  what- 
ever elfe  they  had  ;  pretending,  much  to  defire  Peace,  and 
to  give  them  any  Satisfaction  in  their  Power.  But  this  was 
only  a  Device,  to  procraftinate  the  Time,  till  they  could 
convey  away  their  Corn  from  all  other  Places,  except 
where  the  EngU/h  were  quartered.  At  length,  the  Englijh^ 
perceiving  their  Defign,  feifed  on  the  Corn  in  their  Power, 
burnt  their  Houfes,  and  purfued  them  into  the  Woods. 
But  they  fled  before  them,  and  eafily  efcaped,  not  without 
Contempt  and  Infult.  For  fome  lurked  about  in  Ambufh, 
and  difcharged  fome  Shot  out  of  Englijh  Pieces,  which 
hurt  and  wounded  feveral  diforderly  Stragglers.  After  this, 
Sir  George  returned,  with  a  thoufand  Bufhels  of  Corn,  and 
each  of  the  Soldiers  had  three  Bufhels  a  piece.  Captain 
Smith  tells  us,  that  they  were  however  obliged  to  pay  ten 
Shillings  a  Bufhel,  before  they  received  it,  for  Freight  and 
other  Charges  of  the  Expedition.  But  the  Governor  and 
Council's  Letters  to  the  Company,  an  Authority  not  to  be 
contefled,  exprefly  fay,  that  Sir  George  Teardley  freely  em- 
ployed his  own  Shipping,  Shallops,  Mariners,  and  Servants, 
without  any  Recompence  or  Freight  at  all.  But  this  is  not 
the  only  Inflance,  in  which  that  Gentleman's  A6tions  are 
mifreprefented  in  Smith's  Hiflory.  For,  he  immediately  pre- 
ceeding  and  coming  after  Captain  Argalls.  Government, 
and  having  a  Commiflion  to  examine  and  punifh  his  Of- 
fences, became  a  peculiar  Mark  of  Hatred  and  Calumny 
to  that  Fa6lion.  The  fame  Letters  inform  us,  that  three 
thoufand  Bufhels  of  Corn  more  were  taken  from  the  Ene- 
my, by  Force  or  Trade,  and  brought  in,  by  different  Par- 
ties of  Men.  By  thefe,  and  other  fuch  fmall  Inroads  and 
Depredations,  the  Indians  were  reduced  to  great  Want  and 
Neceflity  that  Winter,  and  endured  no  fmall  Mifery  and 
Famine.  So  that  many  of  the  Englijh^  in  Confidence  of 
their  Weaknefs,  and  Inability  to  hurt  them,  returned  to 
their  former  Habitations.     For,  befides  plundering  and  ruin- 

ine 


Book  IV.     T'be    History    of   VIRGINIA. 

ing  their  Corn,  and  other  Ways  of  diftrefling  and  deftroy- 
ing  them,  the  Governor  and   Council,  in  the  aforefaid  Let- 
ter, aflure  the  Company,  that  more  Indians  were   flain  that  ^"^  Francis 
Autumn  and  Winter,  than  had  ever  fallen  by  the  Hands  of  vem'^or. 
the  Englijh,  put  them  all  together,  from  the  firft  Beginning 
and  Settlement  of  the  Colony. 

The  Earl  of  IVarwick^  not  fatisfied  with  the  Spoils  of 
Virginia^  had  alfo,  by  his  Intereft  and  Intrigues,  procured 
his  Follower  and  Dependent,  Captain  Nathaniel  Butler^  to 
be  fent  Governor  of  Bermudas  for  three  Years  ;  where  he 
exercifed  the  fame  bare-faced  Oppreflion  and  Extortion, 
that  Captain  Argall  had  done  here.  But  from  the  petty 
Offence  of  plundering  the  Colony,  he  proceeded  to  a  higher 
Crime  and  Mifdemeanor,  and  committed  fome  Pillage  upon 
a  SpaniJ}]  Wreck.  Thr's  incenfed  Gondomar^  and  the  Lords 
of  the  Privy  Council  fent  a  fharp  Order  to  the  Company, 
to  make  an  immediate  and  ftriil  Enquiry  into  the  Matter. 
The  Time  of  his  Government  being  therefore  now  expi- 
red, a  Commiflion  was  given  to  Mr.  Bernard^  who  was 
going  over  to  fucceed  him,  to  enquire  into  the  Affair  of  the 
Spanijh  Wreck,  as  well  as  the  Truth  of  many  other  Com- 
plaints and  Allegations,  fent  over  againft  him  to  England. 
But,  as  had  been  done  in  Captain  Jrgall's  Cafe,  a  Bark 
was  difpatched  from  Barnjiaple^  in  which  he  efcaped,  juft 
before  the  Arrival  of  the  new  Governor,  and  came  to  Vir- 
ginia. He  left  thofe  Iflands  in  a  mofl:  miferable  Plight,  be- 
ing reduced  to  Beggary  and  Ruin,  by  his  Rapines  and  Ex- 
tortions ;  and  coming  hither  in  the  Extremity  of  Winter, 
he  found  the  Colony  labouring  under  the  Diftreffes  and  un- 
happy Confequences  of  the  Maffacre.  Sir  Francis  Wyat 
received  and  entertained  him,  with  great  Hofpitality  and 
Good-manners  ;  but  his  Behaviour  here  was  infamoufly 
iewd  and  riotous.  Among  other  things,  he  demanded  to 
be  admitted  of  the  Council,  and  grievoufly  refented  his 
being  refufed,  altho'  he  could  fhew  no  Colour  of  Right  or 
Title  to  it.  After  about  three  Month's  Stay,  and  having 
gone  up  as  high  as  Chickahominy.,  where,  like  a  common 
Robber  or  free  Booter,  he  fell  upon,  and  made  Spoil  of 
Lady  Dale\  Cattle,  he  fet  Sail,  and  returned  for  Eng- 
land. 

But  before  this,  in  the  Beginning  of  the  Summer, 
there  had  been  fet  afoot  a  rnoft  unhappy  Affair  for  the  Com- 
pany -,  which  gave  it,  as  it  were,  a  fettling  Blow,  and  not 
without  fome  P^ace  of  Reafon,  was  the  Occafion  of  greater 
Clamours  and  Animofities  than  ever.  It  hath  been  fre- 
quently related,  how  the  King  took  all  Opportunities  of 
grinding  the  Company  and   infant   Colony,   by  laying  op- 

R  2  preflive 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

preflive  and  illegal  Impofitions  on  Tobacco.  This  he 
did,  partly  out  of  his  natural  Abhorrence  and  Averfion  to 
Sir  Fra"f«that  Weed,  but  chiefly  out  of  a  Defire  of  Gain.  For, 
ve/nor  °' with  a  Conjun6tion  not  unufual  to  be  found  in  Men's  Cha- 
ra6lers,  Profufion,  and  a  voracious  Appetite  after  Money, 
had  met  together  in  that  Prince's  Nature.  In  all  thefe 
Exa£tions,  Sir  Lionel  CranfieM  had  been  his  principal  Inft:ru- 
ment.  He  had  been  at  firft  a  Merchant  of  London^  and 
then  an  Officer  in  the  Cuftoms,  from  whence  he  was  in- 
troduced to  Court,  as  a  Projector ;  which,  in  the  Lan- 
guage of  thofe  Times,  fignified  a  Perfon,  who  could  fur- 
nifh  Expedients  to  the  Minifters,  to  raife  Money,  in  the 
Vacancy,  and  without  the  Affiftance,  of  Parliament.  He 
was  a  very  wife  and  dextrous  Officer  ;  and  in  this  Execrable 
Fun£l:ion,  had  been  fo  ufeful  and  fuccefsful,  that,  together 
with  the  Advantage  of  having  married  one  of  Buckingha}7i'% 
Relations  (an  extraordinary  Merit  then,  and  an  infallible 
Road  to  the  higheft  Preferments)  he  had  rifen,  before  this 
time,  to  the  Dignity  of  Earl  of  Middlefex^  and  Lord  High 
Treafurer  of  England.  He  was  himfelf  an  ancient  Ad- 
venturer in  the  Affair  of  Virginia  \  and  well  knew,  how 
uneafy  they  were,  under  the  PrefTure  of  the  Monopolies, 
Garbling,  and  other  illegal  Patents.  He  therefore  refolved 
to  try,  whether  he  could  not  make  the  Company  confent 
to  their  own  Oppreffion,  and  fqueeze  out  of  them  a  greater 
Profit  and  Revenue  to  his  Majefty,  by  making  a  particular 
Contrail  with  themfelves. 

To  this  End,  he  firfl  broached  the  Matter  privately  to 
Sir  Edwin  Sandys ;  offering  a  Grant,  to  the  two  Companies 
of  Virginia  and  the  Somer-IJlands^  for  the  fole  Importation 
of  Tobacco  into  the  Realms  of  England  and  Ireland^  re- 
ferving  to  his  Majefty  a  certain  valuable  Rent.  This  he 
did,  with  large  Profeffions  of  his  Love  and  AfFeftion  to  the 
Colony  of  Virginia^  whereof  he  was  an  ancient  Counfellor  ; 
and  declared,  that,  befides  the  perfonal  Duty  of  his  Place, 
as  Lord  High  Treafurer,  his  principal  Motive  herein  was 
the  Profit  and  Advancement  of  the  Colonies.  Sir  Edwin 
profefTed  his  Ignorance,  in  Affairs  of  that  Nature  ;  but 
after  fome  Thought,  he  confulted' with  Sir  Arthur  Ingram^ 
another  Member  of  the  Virginia  Company,  then  prefent, 
but  a  faft  Creature  and  Retainer  to  the  Lord  Treafurer. 
At  length,  confidering,  that  Tobacco  was  a  deceiveable 
Weed,  and  the  Ufe  of  it  wholly  founded  on  a  Humour, 
which,  might  foon  vanifli  into  Smoke,  and  come  to  no- 
thing, he  told  his  Lordfhip,  that  to  fettle  any  great  Rent 
in  Money,  upon  fuch  an  uncertain  Commodity,  might 
foon  bankrupt  the  Companies,  and  utterly  ruin  the  Planta- 
tions. 


Book  IV.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  245 

tions.     Wherefore,   he  conceived  it   much   the  fafer  Way      l(>^^. 

for  the  Companies,  to  yield  his   Majefty  a  certain  Propor-' y ' 

tion,  in  Specie,  out  of  the  Tobacco  itfelf;  whereof,  he^'''  ^''''"'^'^ 
thought,  they  might  be  induced  to  give  a  fourth  Part,  pro- ^  ^^"'\  °' 
vided  they  might  be  difcharged  from  all  other  Burthens  upon 
it.  But  his  Lordfhip,  falling  into  a  Calculation,  told  him, 
that  without  the  Grant  of  a  Third,  there  could  not  be  that 
Revenue  raifed  to  his  Majefty,  as  was  expe6led  ;  and  for 
the  old  Cuftom,  of  fix  Pence  a  Pound  upon  Roll,  and  four 
Pence  upon  Leaf  Tobacco,  it  was  alreadv  granted  to  his 
Majefty's  Farmers,  and  could  not  be  reverfed. 

After  this.  Sir  Edtvin  Sandys^  by  his  Lordfliip's  Com- 
mand, communicated  this  Propofal  to  the  Lords  Southamp- 
ton and  Cavendi/h^  and  the  two  Deputies  ;  who  having  im- 
parted it  to  their  CouncHs,  brought  it  before  the  Companies. 
Such  a  Contrail,  if  it  could  be  concluded  on  any  reafonable 
Terms,  was  certainly  of  very  great  and  vifible  Advantage 
to  the  Companies  and  Colonies.  For  it  would  enable  them, 
by  having  the  whole  Commodity  in  their  own  Hands,  to 
exclude  all  foreign  Tobacco,  and  to  raife,  or  at  leaft  keep 
up,  the  Price  of  their  own  ;  and  would  as  well  eafe  them 
from  the  Extortions  and  Infults  of  other  monopolifing  Pa- 
tents, as  fecure  them  from  any  farther  Impofitions.  For 
the  Court,  as  the  Colonies  advanced  in  Strength,  was  ftill 
loading  them  with  new  Impofitions,  and  kept  them  always 
daggering,  and  fcarce  able  to  go  forward,  under  the  Bur- 
then of  Taxes  and  Imports.  And  this  was  then  done,  folely 
by  the  King's  Authority,  without  granting  Parliaments  their 
undoubted  Right,  of  giving  Money,  and  laying  new  Duties 
on  the  Subject.  And  what  was  a  notorious,  and  (if  the  fa- 
cred  Character  of  Kings  and  Minifters  would  allow  the  Ex- 
preffion)  an  impudent  Breach  of  Faith,  it  was  done  againft 
the  plaineft  and  moft  exprefs  Words  and  Tenor  of  former 
Grants ;  which  was,  beyond  Doubt,  the  prefent  Cafe  of 
the  Virg'niia  Company,  as  hath  been  before  obferved  and 
recited. 

However,  the  Companies,  fitting  down  peaceably 
under  thefe  Oppreffions,  readily  embraced  this  Overture, 
and  appointed  each  a  Committee,  to  treat  with  the  Lord 
Treafurer  about  it.  But  in  the  Progrefs  of  the  Bufinefs,  his 
Lordfhip  was  Itill  fqueezing  in  new  Hardfhips  upon  them  ; 
and  particularly  furprifed  and  (hocked  them  with  a  Propo- 
fal, that  for  each  of  the  two  Years,  then  next  enfuing,  the 
Companies  fhould  be  obliged,  to  bring  in  fixty  thoufand 
Weight  of  Spanijh  Tobacco,  or  otherwife  permit  forty  thou- 
fand Weight  to  be  imported  by  fome  other.  This  Propo- 
fition  feemed  very  grievous  to  the  Committees,  and  croffed 

R  3  one 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  IV. 

one  of  their  chief  Purpofes.      They  therefore  repHed  :  That 
no  fuch  Obligation  was  laid  on  the  former  Patentees  for  the 

^'^  ^''""''^  fole  Importation  of  Tobacco  :   That  the  Example  of  obliging; 

vernor.  Men  to  brmg  m  any  foreign  Commodity,  whereof  there 
was  fufficient  of  the  Growth  of  the  King's  own  Dominions, 
would  feem  very  ftrange  and  accountable  ;  and  fuch  a  thing, 
as  they  thought,  had  not  been  heard  of,  in  any  Part  of  the 
World  :  That  to  prohibit  the  planting  Tobacco  in  England^ 
and  yet  to  command  the  importing  fo  large  a  Quantity  from 
a  foreign  Country  (efpecially  when  it  was  confefl'edly  a  great 
Drain  of  the  Cafh  of  the  Nation)  would  be  very  grievous 
to  the  EngUp:)  Subject ;  and  was  fo  odious  a  thing,  that  they 
were  afhamed  to  be  concerned  in  it :  That  the  Quantity  of 
fixty  thoufand  Weight  of  Spanijh  Tobacco  was  very  excef- 
five,  and  more  than  had  been  imported,  in  divers  Years, 
when  there  was  no  Reftraint  at  all :  That  fo  large  a  Pro- 
portion (the  whole  Import  of  Tobacco  into  England^  upon 
an  Average  for  the  lafi  feven  Years,  being  only  an  hundred 
forty  two  thoufand  and  eighty  five  Pounds  Weight  a  Year) 
muft  utterly  abafe  the  Price  of  the  Plantation  Tobacco,  as 
manifeflly  appeared  from  that  Year's  Experience  ;  fo  that  the 
Colonies  would  part  with  a  third  of  their  Tobacco  to  the 
King,  without  any  Retribution  in  the  Price  of  the  reft,  as 
was  at  firfl  propofed  :  And  that,  in  excluding  all  Spanijh 
Tobacco,  there  could  be  no  Room  for  Fraud  or  Error ; 
whereas,  under  the  Colour  of  fo  large  an  Importation,  it 
would  be  impoffible  to  prevent  the  running  and  ftealing  in 
a  much  greater  Quantity. 

These  Objections  were  certainly  very  fharp  and  home, 
and  did  not  a  little  expofe  the  partial  and  moft  unpatriot 
Meafures  of  the  Court.  But  it  was  the  Misfortune  of  that 
Time,  that  the  Company  dealt  much  in  Reafon,  and  the 
Courtiers  in  Command.  They  were  therefore  peremptorily 
told,  that  this  was  a  Point  of  fuch  Importance,  that  it  could 
not  be  difpenfed  with,  without  dilToIving  the  whole  Con- 
tra6t.  For  we  muft  remember,  that  the  Spanijh  Match 
was  ftill  on  Foot ;  and  therefore  his  Majefty  would  facri- 
fice  fo  large  an  Intereft  of  his  own  Subjects  to  that  Nation, 
to  gratify  and  oblige  his  good  Friend  and  Ally,  the  King  of 
Spain  ;  who  had  been  now,  for  many  Years,  bubbling  and 
abufing  him,  to  the  open  Scorn  and  Mockery  of  all  Europe. 
Befides  which,  it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed,  that  Gondo?nar^  who, 
about  this  time,  bore  a  very  great  Sway  in  the  Affairs  of 
England^  would  let  flip  fuch  an  Opportunity,  of  acquiring 
fo  great  a  Profit  to  his  Country.  And  indeed  we  are  told 
by  Mr.  Oldys^  that  the  Obftru6tion  of  thefe  Plantations,  was 
a  main  Branch  of  the  Aims  and  Endeavours  of  that  Spanijh 

Buffoon  j 


Book  IV.    "The    History    <?/  VIRGINIA. 

Buffoon  ;  and  that  he  oppofed  all  Voyages  to  the  Weji-Ind'tes^ 
and  particularly  crofled  thefe  Undertakings  of  Virginia  and 
Bermudas^  left  from  them  there  fliould  afterwards  arife  ano-^""  ^'''^'"^'^ 
ther  England  in  America^  of  equal  Dread  and  Annoyance  to  ^^-^'"'^  ^°' 
New  Spain^  as  that  in  Europe  was  to  the  Old.  But  the 
Company,  having  had  fome  Gleams  of  Hope,  and  dreading 
nothing  fo  much,  as  falling  into  their  former  Calamities  and 
Oppreffions,  did  at  laft,  after  much  Difpute  and  Contefta- 
tion,  confent  to  this  Article;  and  the  whole  Contra6l  was 
concluded  and  agreed  upon,  chiefly  on  thefe  Conditions. 
For  I  fliall  in  this,  as  I  have  done  in  other  Cafes,  take  the 
Liberty,  for  Brevity's  Sake, only  to  give  the  main  Subftance 
of  Matters,  and  to  leave  out  fuch  Points,  as  are  immate- 
rial, and  of  little  or  no  Confequence  to  be  known. 

I.  That  the  fole  Importation  of  Tobacco,  into  the 
Realms  of  England  and  Ireland^  (hould  be  granted  to  the 
Virginia  and  Somer-Ijlands  Companies,  by  Patent  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  England  \  which  Grant  fhould  be  drawn  and 
conftrued,  in  the  moft  beneficial  Manner  for  the  Compa- 
nies Behoof,  and  the  Advancement  of  the  Colonies  ;  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Profit,  hereafter  recited,  only  referved. 

II.  That  his  Majefty  fhould,  by  Proclamation,  pro- 
hibit all  others  from  importing,  as  alfo  from  planting  To- 
bacco in  England  and  Ireland^  during  the  faid  Contrad:,  un- 
der grievous  Penalties  ;  and  that  what  was  already  planted, 
fhould,  by  Virtue  of  the  former  Proclamation,  be  confif- 
cated. 

III.  That  his  Majefty,  and  the  Lord  High  Treafurer, 
fhould  take  all  proper  Methods,  for  preventing  and  confif- 
cating  all  Tobacco,  unduly  imported  ;  and  fhould  endea- 
vour, in  all  Points,  to  keep  up  effectually  to  the  true  Intent 
and  Meaning  of  this  Contrail ;  and  particularly,  that  his 
Majefty  fhould  grant  no  Licences  to  Retailers  of  Tobacco, 
that  the  Market  might  ftill  remain  free  and  open,  as  it  had 
hitherto  done. 

IV.  That  in  Confideration  hereof,  as  alfo  for  that  the 
Companies  fhould  be  difcharged  from  all  other  Payments  on 
Tobacco  (excepting  only  the  ancient  Cuftom,  in  the  Book 
of  Rates,  of  fix  Pence  a  Pound  on  Roll  Tobacco,  and  four 
Pence  upon  Leaf)  the  faid  Companies  fhould  pay  to  his  Ma- 
jefty the  clear  Proceed  of  a  full  third  Part  of  all  Tobacco, 
Yearly  imported  and  landed  by  them  in  the  faid  two  Realms  : 
Provided  neverthelefs,  that  they  fhould  not  be  obliged  to 
import  more  Tobacco  of  the  Growth  of  the  two  Colonies, 
than  they  themfelves  thought  proper. 

R  4  V.   That 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

V.  That  the  Lord  High  Treafurer  fhould  caufe  the 
Cuftom   to   be    reduced  to  a   Medium  for  feven  Years  laft 

Sir  Francis  p^^^  ending  at  Michaelmas^  1621  ;  wherein  fhould  be  fpe- 
^mor  ^°' ^'^^*^'  how  much  was  Roll  Tobacco,  and  how  much 
Leaf,  becaufe  of  the  different  Cuftom  ;  and  that  the  Whole 
fhould  be  reduced  to  a  certain  Sum  of  Money,  whereof  one 
Third  to  be  paid  by  the  King,  for  his  Part,  and  two  Thirds 
by  the  Companies,  and  the  Cuftomers  to  make  no  farther 
Demand  on  any  Tobacco,  either  imported  or  exported. 

VI.  That  his  Majefty  fhould  be  difcharged  from  Pay- 
ment of  Freight,  and  all  other  previous  Charges  ;  but  that 
immediately  upon  the  Arrival  of  the  faid  Tobacco  (at  which 
time  his  Majefty's  Intereft  therein  would  commence)  he 
fhould  bear  the  third  Part  of  all  Charges,  for  landing,  hou- 
fing,  keeping,  and  tranfporting  by  Land,  Sea,  or  frefh  Wa- 
ter, into  divers  Parts  ;  as  alfo  his  third  Part  of  all  Law-fuits, 
of  the  Salaries  of  all  Officers,  Agents,  Failors,  and  Ser- 
vants ;  and  in  general,  of  all  Matters  and  BufmeiTes  what- 
foever,  incident  to  the  faid  Tobacco,  or  Contra6l. 

VII.  That  all  the  Tobacco  imported,  fhould  be  con- 
figned  into  fuch  Hands,  as  fhould  be  appointed  by  the  faid 
Companies  ;  who  fhould,  in  their  General  Courts,  have  the 
fole  Nomination  of  all  Officers,  Agents,  Fa6lors,  Minifters, 
and  Servants,  and  the  entire  Management  of  the  faid  To- 
bacco :  Yielding  to  his  Majefty,  a  true  and  perfe£l  Account 
thereof,  and  paying  the  clear  Profits,  which  fhould  become 
due  to  his  Majefty  for  his  Third,  and  come  into  their  Hands  : 
In  which  Account  the  third  of  all  Charges  fhould  be  allowed 
and  defalcated,  as  aforefaid. 

Vin.  That  the  Companies  fhould  be  obliged  to  im- 
port, not  above  fixty  thoufand,  nor  under  forty  thoufand 
Weight  of  Spanijh  Tobacco,  for  each  of  the  firft  two  Years 
of  this  Contrail,  and  no  longer  :  Upon  Condition  never- 
thelefs,  that  the  King  and  State  of  Spain  did  not  purpofely 
(upon  Knowledge  of  their  being  obliged  to  import  fo  large  a 
Quantity)  raife  the  Cuftom,  or  impofe  new  Burthens  and 
Charges  upon  their  Tobacco  ;  and  on  Condition  likewife, 
that  the  Price  of  Tobacco,  at  which  it  was  then  fold  in  Spain^ 
be  not  purpofely  enhanced,  and  that  the  Markets  be,  in  all 
refpe6ls,  as  free  and  open,  as  formerly  they  have  been : 
Provided  alfo,  if  any  of  the  faid  Quantity  of  Spanijh  To- 
bacco do,  in  any  wife,  mifcarry  by  Cafualties  at  Sea,  that 
in  that  Cafe,  the  faid  Companies  fhould  not  be  bound,  to 
reftore  and  make  good  the  Proportion  fo  loft,  by  any  new 
Provifion  and  Importation. 

IX.  That  this  Contraft  fhould  commence  at  Michael- 
mas^ 1622,  and  continue  for  the  Space  of  feven  Years,  then 
next  enfuing.  This 


Book  IV.      V:e  History   of  VIRGINIA.  249 

This  Contrail  was  certainly  very  well  and  cautioufly  ^6--- 
worded,  bv  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  who  drew  it,  and  was  indeed  ^— '^r-'— ^ 
their  conftant  Draughtfman  upon  all  iuch  Occafions.  But  it  ^  Francis 
was  at  laft  efteemed  a  very  hard  and  pinching  Bargain  upon^g^^or 
the  Trade  •,  and  as  a  certain  noble  Perfon  exprefled  it,  was 
not  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  pleafant  Difh,  well  fauced  and 
feafoned,  but  as  a  bitter  Potion,  which  muft,  of  neceflity,  be 
fwallowed  down,  for  avoidino;  wreater  Evils.  The  Earl  of 
Southampton  therefore,  earnellly  defired  the  Company,  duly 
to  confider  each  Article,  and  not  to  fpare  to  give  their  beft 
Counfel  and  Advice,  in  fo  weighty  a  Bufinefs,  which  fo 
nearly  concerned  themfelves  and  the  Colonies,  it  being  not 
only  free,  but  demanded,  as  a  Duty,  from  every  Man,  to 
fpeak  his  Mind  boldly,  as  his  own  Reafon  fhould  fuggeft. 
But  after  a  long  Paufe,  it  appearing,  that  nothing  more 
could  be  faid,  than  had  formerly  been  delivered,  his  Lord- 
fhip,  at  the  Company's  Requeft,  put  it  to  the  Queftion, 
and  it  was  ratified  and  confirmed,  by  an  almoft  unanimous 
Confent,  one  Hand  only  being  held  up  againft  it.  After 
which,  it  was,  by  the  Lord  Cavendijh^  their  Governor, 
propofed  to,  and  confirmed  by  the  Somer-IJJands  Company, 
with  the  like  Unanimity.  For  the  Adventurers  in  that  Plan- 
tation, being  about  an  hundred  and  twenty  fix  in  Number, 
were  all  likewife  Members  of  the  Virginia  Company. 

But  before  the  Bargain  was  throughly  concluded  and  ra- 
tified by  the  Lord  High  Treafurer,  he  prefled  in  upon  them 
an  Obligation,  to  import  the  forty  thoufand  Weight  of  Spa- 
nijh  Tobacco,  in  the  beft  Varinas^  with  a  Promife  ( which 
however  he  did  not  keep)  not  to  trouble  them  any  farther, 
if  that  was  granted.  The  Company  therefore  yielded  to  it  ; 
on  Condition,  that  fuch  a  Quantity  of  beft  Farinas  could  be 
procured.  For  there  had  been  fome  Years,  when  the 
whole  Importation  of  that  Kind  of  Tobacco  into  Spain  did 
not  amount  to  forty  thoufand  Weight,  But  if  Farinas 
could  not  be  had,  they  undertook  (to  give  his  Majefty  and 
the  Lord  Treafurer  Satisfaction)  to  import  the  reft  of  their 
Quantity,  in  the  beft  and  moft  coftly  Sorts  of  Spanijh  To- 
bacco, It  will  doubtlefs  be  very  furprifing  to  every  thinking 
Reader,  to  find  a  King  thus  load  and  opprefs  his  Subjedts, 
with  the  Importation  of  a  foreign  Commodity,  of  no  Ufe 
or  Neceflity,  but  of  mere  Luxury  and  Wantonnefs,  and 
that  too,  in  the  deareft  and  moft  grievous  Manner  ;  efpe- 
cially  when  that  Commodity  might  be  fupplied  by  our  own 
Colonies,  and  muft,  in  Spain^  be  paid  for  in  hard  Cafti, 
as  the  Cafe  then  was.  But  to  account  for  fo  unconfcionable 
a  Proceeding,  it  muft  ftill  be  obferved,  that  herein  were  an- 
fwered  the  two  grand  Ends,  which  at  that  time  lay  neareft 
34  to 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

to  that  Prince's  Heart  -,  fince  by  taking  off  their  deareft  To- 
baccoes,  he  did  the  more  obhge  the  Spani/h  King  and  Na- 
Sir  Francii^^Q^^  ^^^  threvv  more  Money  into  their  Pockets,  out  of  his 
vcmor.  "Subjects  Purfes  (which  was,  in  Truth,  fo  much  clear  Lofs 
to  the  Englijh  Nation)  and  did  alfo,  at  the  fame  time,  ad- 
vance his  own  Profit  and  Revenue.  For  as  the  King  was, 
by  the  Contract,  to  have  the  clear  Proceed  of  one  Third 
of  all  Tobacco  imported,  it  was  more  to  his  Gain  and  Ad- 
vantage, to  have  the  beft  Spanijh  Tobaccoes,  which  would 
then  fell  for  eighteen  or  twenty  Shillings  a  Pound,  and  fome- 
times  more,  than  the  Plantation  Tobacco,  which  would 
fcarcely  fetch  two  and  fix  Pence  a  Pound. 

The  Affair  of  the  Contract,  being  thus  fettled  and  con- 
cluded, the  next  thing  that  fell  under  their  Confideration, 
was  appointing  proper  Officers,  with  their  Salaries  ;  and  the 
refolving  on  a  fteady  Courfe,  for  the  Management  of  the 
Bufinefs.  For  this  Purpofe,  a  Committee  was  appointed 
out  of  both  the  Companies,  confifting  of  the  Earl  of  Sou- 
thampton^ the  Lords  Cavendijh^  Paget^  and  Houghton^  Sir 
"John  Brooke^  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  Sir  "John  Davers^  Meffirs. 
Nicholas  and  John  Farrars^  the  Deputies  of  the  two  Com- 
panies, Mr.  Samuel  Wrote^  and  others.  Gentlemen  and 
Merchants,  to  the  Number  of  twenty  one  in  all.  After  a 
whole  Day's  Confultation  and  Debate,  they  at  lafl:  agreed 
upon  all  Matters  ;  and  the  Lords  Southampton  and  Cavendijh^ 
Treafurer  and  Governor  of  the  Companies,  reported  the 
Refult  of  their  Deliberations,  to  their  refpe6live  Courts. 
But  firft,  the  Earl  of  Southampton^  with  much  Candor  and 
Earneftnefs,  entreated  the  Virginia  Company,  to  deliver 
their  Opinions  freely,  either  for,  or  againft,  what  he  fhould 
then  propound;  which  (hefaid)  himfelf,  the  Council,  and 
Committee,  had  confulted  upon,  not  with  Intent  to  con- 
clude or  determine  any  thing,  nor  to  prejudice  the  Courts 
in  their  Judgment,  but  only  the  better  to  prepare  the  Bufi- 
nefs for  their  Confideration  \  looking  upon  themfelves,  as 
his  Lordfhip  exprefled  it,  only  as  Servants  to  the  Court. 

After  which  Declaration,  he  proceeded  and  told  them, 
that,  as  it  was  propofed,  and  in  fome  Meafure  concluded, 
in  the  Preparative  Court,  they  judged  it  neceffary,  that  there 
fhould  be  one  principal  Officer,  by  the  Name  of  Director, 
on  whofe  Sufficiency,  Care,  and  Integrity,  the  whole  Suc- 
cefs  of  the  Bufinefs  did  chiefly  depend  ;  and  that  they  con- 
ceived the  faid  Director  would  well  deferve,  for  his  Salary  of 
that  Year,  five  hundred  Pounds.  Next  to  him,  was  a  De- 
puty :  For  without  fuch  an  Affiftant,  it  would  be  impoffible 
for  the  Director,  to  undergo  all  the  Burthen  of  Bufinefs, 
that  would  lie  upon  him.    And  to  this  Office  they  conceived 

requifite 


Book  IV.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

requifite  an  extraordinary  Deal  of  Pains  and  Induftry,  and 
no  fmall  Sufficiency.  The  Third  Officer  was  a  Treafurer, 
to  keep  the  Cafh.  But  altho'  the  Offices  of  Deputy  and  ^"'  Francis 
Treafurer  were  diftinii:  in  themfelves,  and  would  require  yemor. 
two  Perfons,  yet  the  better  to  hufband  the  Expences  for 
that  Year,  they  thought  it  beft  (according  to  the  Refolu- 
tion  of  the  Preparative  Court)  to  join  them  both  in  one  Per- 
fon,  for  the  prefent.  And  to  this  Officer,  they  allotted  a 
Salary  of  four  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  current  Year.  Next 
they  conceived  it  neceflary,  to  have  a  Committee  of,  at 
leaft,  eight  able  and  judicious  Perfons,  chofen  out  of  the 
two  Companies,  for  felling  and  difpofing  of  their  Tobaccoes, 
and  for  affifting  the  Dire6lor,  with  their  Counfels,  and  Help, 
in  the  feveral  Parts  of  his  Office  ;  which  would  be  very  many 
and  exceedingly  weighty  and  important.  And  to  thefe, 
they  appointed  a  Salary  of  fifty  Pounds,  a  Man.  And  be- 
fides  thefe  principal  Officers,  he  told  them,  there  would  be 
neceflary,  two  Cafhiers,  the  one  to  be  conftantly  refident  in 
the  Treafury,  the  other  to  receive  and  gather  in  the  Monies  ; 
a  Book-keeper  ;  two  Clerks  ;  a  Sollicitor  ;  a  Hufband,  to 
whom  the  Cuftody  of  the  Warehoufes  (hould  be  committed  ; 
and  a  Beadle  ;  with  a  Houfe,  for  the  Meetings  of  the  Offi- 
cers ;  and  Warehoufes,  for  the  Reception  of  the  Tobacco. 
And  the  whole  Amount  of  all  thefe  Salaries  and  Expences, 
was  computed  at  two  thoufand  Pounds  a  Year,  which  muft 
be  raifed  upon  the  Tobacco.  But  as  the  Spanifl)  vaftly  ex- 
ceeded the  Plantation  Tobacco  in  Price,  it  was  agreed,  that 
it  fhould  bear  a  double  Proportion  in  the  Rate  of  the  Charges. 
His  Lordfhip  farther  told  them,  that  they  conceived  it 
neceflary,  that  there  fhould  be  five  hundred  Pounds  more 
fet  apart,  for  fuch  contingent  Expences,  as  fhould  occafi- 
onally  arife  ;  which  Money,  if  it  were  not,  by  the  Confent 
and  Order  of  the  Courts,  expended  for  the  Advantage  and 
Improvement  of  the  Price  of  Tobacco,  was  to  be  again  re- 
paid, to  each  Adventurer  proportionably.  And  altho'  this 
Sum,  of  twenty  five  hundred  Pounds  a  Year,  might  to  ma- 
ny feem  very  great  and  extraordinary  ;  yet,  he  faid,  confi- 
dering,  that  five  hundred  Pounds  was  not  to  be  expended, 
except  for  the  evident  Advantage  of  the  Commodity  ;  and 
that,  of  the  two  thoufand  Pounds  remaining,  his  Majefly 
was  to  bear  one  third  Part,  and  the  Spanijh  Tobacco  a  Pro- 
portion double  to  the  reft,  he  conceived,  it  would  be  found 
no  great  Burthen  upon  the  Plantations  (whofe  Benefit  was 
the  grand  Point  in  View)  but  fuch,  as  it  was  hoped,  would 
be  manifoldly  repaid,  by  the  Advancement  of  the  Price. 
And  as  to  the  Officers  Salaries,  he  declared  it  to  be  his 
Opinion,  that  they  were  far  below  the  Pains,  Care,  and 
Charge,  that  they  mufl,  of  neceffity,  be  at.  The 


The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  IV. 

The  Earl  of  Southampton  having  thus  finifhed  his  Report, 
there  followed,  for  fome  time,  a  general  Silence  among  the 
Sir  Francis  Adventurers.  Whereupon  his  Lordfhip  entreated  them, 
Sor  ^°' freely  to  fpeak  their  Minds  concerning  all  thefe  things,  and 
to  declare,  what  and  how  they  would  have  them  done. 
And  he  repeated  it  again,  that  they  efteemed  themfelves  on- 
ly as  their  Minifters  or  Servants,  to  prepare  Bufinefs  for  the 
Court,  in  whom  alone,  was  Power  and  Authority  to  de- 
termine and  conclude  Matters.  He  therefore  earneftly  en- 
treated them,  without  Refpe£l:  to  himfelf,  or  any  others, 
from  whom  thofe  Propofitions  came,  to  declare  their  Opi- 
nions freely,  efpecially  concerning  the  Salaries,  which,  he 
perceived,  was  the  grand  Rock  of  Offence. 

Hereupon,  Mr.  Robert  Smithy  the  Under-Chamber- 
Iain,  faid ;  that  he  thought,  many  able  Gentlemen  might 
be  found,  who,  for  Confcience  Sake,  would  do  the  Bufinefs 
for  far  lefs  Salaries.  To  which  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  replied  ; 
that  for  his  Part,  he  thought  Men  bound  in  Confcience,  to 
give  thofe  whom  they  employed,  fome  reafonable  Satif- 
fa£lion  for  their  Labour  and  Pains  ;  and  that  he  had  found 
by  Experience,  that  fome  Men,  who  had,  for  Confcience 
Sake,  ferved  the  Company,  had  alfo,  for  Confcience  Sake, 
undone  it.  But  the  Earl  of  Southampton^  to  foften  the  Quick- 
nefs  of  Sir  Edward  SackviPs  Reply,  and  to  encourage  a  Free- 
dom of  Debate,  declared,  that  Mr.  Robert  Smith  was  a  very 
worthy  and  honeft  Man  ;  and  he  thanked  him,  for  fpeaking 
his  Mind  freely,  defiring  all  others  to  do  the  fame.  After 
which,  there  enfued  a  fhort  Debate  j  and  it  was  often  ob- 
ferved,  in  the  Progrefs  of  the  Affair,  that  this  was  properly 
a  Point  of  Merchandife,  and  not  of  fettling  Colonies  ;  and 
that  it  was  not  juft  or  reafonable,  to  expeif,  that  Men,  fit 
to  be  trufted  with,  and  capable  to  perform,  fo  important 
a  Bufinefs,  (hould  expend  their  whole  Time  and  Labour, 
for  the  Advancement  of  other  Mens  Eftates,  without  any 
Reward  or  Retribution  at  all.  Mr.  Barker  alfo  now  faid  ; 
that,  having  been,  many  Years,  a  Member  of  that  Court, 
he  had  never  heard  of  fuch  great  Salaries,  as  four  and  five 
hundred  Pounds  a  Year  •,  but  that  he  had  however  heard  of 
five  hundred,  and  a  thoufand  Pounds,  deficient  in  the  Ac- 
counts of  fome  Officers,  who  did  their  Bufinefs  for  nothing. 
Soon  after,  the  Earl  of  Southampton  was  called  upon,  to 
put  the  feveral  Propofitions  to  the  Vote.  But  his  Lordfliip 
faid,  he  would  once  more  read  them  over  to  them  ;  which 
having  done,  and  no  Man  making  any  Obje61:ion,  after  a 
good  Paufe,  he  put  the  feveral  things,  concerning  the  Offi- 
cers and  Salaries,  above  related,  diH:in61:ly  to  the  Queftion, 
and  they  were  all  approved  and  confirmed. 

They 


Book  IV.     The   History   <?/  VIRGINIA.  253 

They  then  proceeded  to  the  Eleftion  of  their  Officers.  1622. 
Sir  Ediuin  Sandys  had  been  nominated,  in  a  former  Court, '""- — y"^-^ 
to  the  Place  of  Dire6lor  ;  but  he  earneftly  refufed  it,  as  be-  ^"^  ^''''""^ 
ing  unexperienced  in  Matter  of  Trade  and  Merchandife,  ^gj:^^!^'^^^ 
in  which  that  Officer  ought  to  have  an  exa6l  Knowledge  ; 
and  as  he  could  not  conftantly  refide  in  Town,  having  a 
great  Family  in  the  Country.  Befides  which,  he  faid,  he 
began,  as  he  now  grew  old,  to  wax  weak  ;  and  therefore 
purpofed,  rather  to  withdraw  from  all  Bufinefs  of  the  World, 
than  to  engage  himfelf  farther  in  it.  But  the  Court,  efpe- 
cially  the  Earl  of  Southa?npton  and  the  other  Lords,  being 
not  fatisfied  with  this  Excufe,  earneftly  preffed  him,  not 
to  refufe  a  Place,  wherein  he  might  do  fuch  fingular  Ser- 
vice to  the  Colonies  ;  the  whole  Welfare  of  which  did,  al- 
moft  entirely  depend,  upon  the  wife  and  upright  Manage- 
ment of  this  Contract.  No  other  Perfon  therefore  being 
fo  much  as  named  againft  him,  and  himfelf  rather  not  op- 
pofing,  than  confenting  to  accept  the  Place,  he  was,  upon 
the  Ballot,  chofen  Director,  by  having  fixty  five  Balls  for, 
and  only  five  againft  him.  Mr.  yohn  Farrar  had  alfo,  at 
the  fame  Court,  been  named  to  the  joint  Place  of  Deputy 
and  Treafurer  ;  but  he  likewife  refufed,  alledging,  that  the 
Company  had  laid  fuch  a  Burthen  of  Bufinefs  upon  him, 
for  now  almoft  four  Years  together,  that  he  had  been  obli- 
ged to  negleil  his  own  private  Affairs,  which  required  his 
immediate  and  diligent  Infpeftion.  All  which  the  Court 
acknowledged  to  be  true  ;  yet  declared,  they  held  him  fo  fit 
a  Man  for  that  Place,  that  thev  would  not  propofe  any  other 
to  ftand  in  Election  with  him  ;  and  fo  he  was  chofen,  by 
having  fixty  eight  Balls  for,  and  only  two  againft  him.  They 
then  made  Choice  of  their  Committee,  and  inferior  Officers  ; 
and  alfo  added  a  Committee  extraordinary,  to  be  chofen  out 
of  the  Council,  without  Salaries.  They  were  not  obliged 
to  a  conftant  Attendance  ;  but  were  only  to  give  their  Ad- 
vice and  Affiftance  to  the  Dire6tor  and  other  afting  Com- 
mittee, in  Cafes  of  a  high  and  extraordinary  Nature.  And 
this  Committee  confifted  of  the  Lords  Paget  and  Maynard^ 
Sir  Edward  Sackvil^  Sir  John  Brooke^  Sir  yohn  Davers^  Sir 
Henry  Mlldmay^  Mr.  Thomas  Gibhs^  Mr.  Samuel  Wrote^ 
Mr.  yohn  Smithy  and  Mr.  Robert  Smith, 


THE 


254 


THE 

HISTORY 

OF 
V      I       R       G       I       N       I       A, 

BOOK    V. 


HAVE,  in  the  former  Book,  been  the  more 
full  and  exa6l,  in  relating  the  Affair  of  the  Of- 
ficers and  Salaries,  as  it  afterwards  became  the 
Subject  of  much  Wrangling  and  Contention. 
There  was  one  Mr.  Samuel  JVrote^  a  Gentle- 
man of  Fortune  and  Diftinftion  in  the  Company,  who  had, 
ever  till  now,  behaved  himfelf  with  great  A'loderation, 
Judgment,  and  Induftry,  and  had  therefore  been  elected  of 
his  Majefty's  Council  for  Virginia.  This  Gentleman  did 
fuddenly,  in  a  fubfequent  Court,  held  on  the  4th  of  De- 
cember this  Year,  break  forth  into  much  Violence,  Inde- 
cency, and  Opprobrioufnefs  of  Language  ;  and  endeavour- 
ed, to  call  into  queftion  and  cancel,  in  an  inferior  and  ordi- 
nary Court,  what  had  been  fettled  and  determined,  by  the 
Authority  of  a  Great  and  General  Quarter  Court.  He 
faid,  that  this  Affair,  which  was  of  efpecial  Confequence 
to  the  Company,  had  been  propofed  and  pafTed,  without 
that  due  Preparation,  which  the  Laws  and  Orders  of  the 
Company  required  in  the  like  Cafes  ;  that  the  lawful  and 
regular  Courfe  had  not  been  taken  for  preparing  Matters, 
but  they  had  been  haftily  (huffled  over  ;  that  the  Bufmefs 
of  the  Salaries,  in  particular,  was  not  duly  committed,  but 

carried 


BookV.     The   History   <?/  VIRGINIA.  255 

carried  fouly,  and   diforderly,  and  with   much   Art,  furrepti-     1622. 

tioufly,  and  to  private  Ends  ;  and  that  divers  of  the  Company  ^ y-~—^ 

did,  both  then  and  fince,  as  well  publickly  as  privately,  in  ^"^  ^''^"'^'^ 
his  Hearing,  complain  much  againft  thofe  Proceedings,  but  yj^^'^ 
that  they  durft  not  fpeak  their  Minds  freely,  becaufe  they 
were  overawed.  He  called  the  Laws  of  the  Company  Sir 
Edwin  Sandys's  Laws,  becaufe  that  Gentleman  had  been 
very  active  and  induftrious,  in  contriving  and  framing  many 
of  them  ;  and  being  reprimanded  by  Lord  Cavendijh^  for 
an  Infinuation  fo  unjuft  and  opprobrious  to  the  Company, 
and  for  fo  unfuitable  a  Return  to  Sir  Edzuin  Sandys  for  do- 
ing publick  Service,  his  Lordfliip  added,  that  he  had  done 
more  Harm  by  that  Day's  Work,  than  Captain  Martin^ 
Captain  Argall^  or  Captain  Bailie  \  the  laft  of  which  was 
Captain  Somers'%  Sollicitor,  and  had  given  their  Courts 
much  Trouble  and  Abufe.  To  this  Mr.  Wrote  replied ; 
that,  in  terming  their  Laws  Sir  Ediuin  Sandys's  Laws,  he 
called  them  no  otherwife,  than  a  great  Lord  did  ;  and  fince 
his  Lordfhip  was  fo  difpleafed  with  him,  he  declared,  he 
would  never  more  trouble  that  Court,  where  his  Lordfliip 
prefided,  but  would,  at  their  next  Meeting,  deliver  up  his 
Share  in  the  Somer-IJlands  Company. 

He  farther  objected,  that  the  Committee,  in  which 
thefe  things  pafled,  was  very  diforderly,  fome  Men  talking 
privately  by  the  Fire  fide  ;  which  he  imputed  to  Mr.  De- 
puty's Fault  and  Negligence,  who  ought  to  have  moderated 
and  kept  Order  in  their  Meetings.  And  he  faid,  that  nei- 
ther the  Council,  nor  the  Committee,  had  any  Authority 
to  treat  of  the  Matter  of  Salaries  ;  and  that  there  were 
things  reported  to  the  Court,  as  the  Judgment  of  the  Com- 
mittee, concerning  Points,  referred  to  them  by  the  Com- 
pany, which  neverthelefs  were  not  the  Committee's  A6ls 
and  Doing.  And  laftly,  he  charged  and  challenged  the 
Deputy,  with  wrong  entering  the  Proceedings  of  a  Court, 
the  7th  of  O^ober  before.  And  to  this  Violence  of  Accu- 
fation,  and  Acerbity  of  Speech,  he  joined  an  equally  rude 
and  infolent  Behaviour.  All  which  was  the  more  inexcu- 
fable  in  him,  as  he  was  himfelf  one  of  the  Committee, 
who  prepared  and  brought  this  Matter  before  the  Court, 
and  had,  when  prefent,  concurred  with  them  in  their  Pro- 
ceedings, but  throuo-h  Abfence  and  Nep;li2:ence  in  attend- 
ing  that  Committee,  had  now  fpoke  moft  of  thofe  bitter 
and  reproachful  things,  merely  upon  Hearfay  and  Conjec- 
ture. 

So  many,  and  fuch  various  Accufations  and  Abufes, 
which  afFe6led  divers  of  the  greateft  Lords  and  principal 
Members  of  the  Company,  did    naturally  produce  a  long 

and 


rhe   History   <?/  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

and  various  Debate ;  in  which  Mr.  IVrote^s  Arguments  and 
Allegations  were  fully  anfwered  and  difproved,  by  feveral 
Sir  Francis  ^^  ^j^g  Company  ;  particularly  by  the  Deputy,  Lord  Ca- 
vernor.  °'  iJe7jdiJh^  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  and  Mr.  John  Farrar.  Many 
alfo  expreffed  much  Grief  and  Concern,  for  this  unhappy 
Altercation  ;  as  well  out  of  their  private  Regard  for  Mr. 
Wrote^  who  had  thus  far  been  much  beloved  and  efteemed, 
as  out  of  Fear,  left  it  fliould  give  a  Handle  to  the  Malici- 
ous, and  be  the  Occafion  of  much  Reproach  and  Scandal 
to  the  Company.  But  Mr.  IVrote^  with  great  Violence 
and  Obftinacy,  ftill  perfifted  to  have  feveral  Propofitions, 
which  he  made,  relating  to  the  Contraft,  put  to  the  Vote  ; 
and  being  refufed,  he  declared,  that  fince  he  could  not 
have  things  put  to  the  QuefHon,  and  for  divers  other  juft 
Caufes  of  Offence,  he  appealed  to  the  Quarter  Court. 
Neither  could  he  be  filenced  or  reprefled,  till  the  Deputy, 
at  the  Court's  Requeft,  put  it  twice  to  the  Vote,  and  it  was, 
by  a  general  Conlent  (  Air.  Wrote  himfelf,  and  one  other 
only  diflbnting)  a  fecond  time  ordered  and  refolved  ;  That  , 
fince  the  Points,  now  moved,  had  pafled  the  Judgment  of 
a  Great  and  General  Quarter  Court,  they  fhould  no  more 
be  called  into  queftion  or  difputed,  before  the  next  Quarter 
Court,  at  which  time,  if  any  Perfon  had  any  thing  to  op- 
pofe  againft  them,  they  might  come  prepared,  and  do  it. 

The  whole  Court,  and  particularly  the  Lord  Cavendijh^ 
were  much  fcandalifed  at  this  turbulent  and  ofFenfive  Be- 
haviour of  Mr.  Wrote  ;  which  was  fufpe6led  to  proceed, 
not  fo  much .  from  any  evil  Mind  in  himfelf,  as  from  the 
malicious  Infufions  of  fome  others,  in  order  to  caufe  Va- 
riance and  Diftrailion  in  the  Company.  For  Alderman 
'Johnfon^  and  others  of  the  Fa6lion,  were  now  prel'ent  •, 
who  had  of  late  been  generally  obferved,  never  to  appear 
at  their  Courts,  but  againft  fome  Storm  and  Confufion. 
Lord  Cavendijh  therefore,  without  naming  the  Perfon,  imme- 
diately wrote  a  full  and  particular  Account  of  it  to  the  Earl  of 
Southampton^  who  was  then  in  the  Country.  Whereupon  the 
Earl,  being  willing  to  fupprefs,  in  the  Beginning,  an  Affair 
ot  fuch  dangerous  Confequence,  haftened  up  to  Town,  and 
called  a  Meeting  of  his  Majefty's  Council  for  Virginia^  on 
the  nth  of  the  fame  Month  o^  December.  But  Mr.  JVrote 
protefted  againft  their  Power  and  Jurifdi6lion,  as  he  had 
appealed  to  the  Qiiarter  Court  ;  to  which,  he  declared,  he 
would  only  fubmit  himfelf.  He  then  renewed  his  Accufa- 
tion  againft  the  Deputy,  for  wrong  entering  a  Court,  the 
7th  of  OSioher  laft  paffed,  and  thereby  bringing  the  Com- 
pany three  thoufand  Pounds  in  Debt.  And  he  did,  from ' 
his  firft   coming  into  the  Room,  behave  himfelf  in  a  moft 

violent 


BookV.      The   History   0/  VIRGINIA. 

violent    and  contemptuous   Manner,  towards  the   Earl 
Southampton^  Lord  Gavendipo^  and  the  whole  Council. 

Mr.  Deputy  faid,  that  the  Accufation  againft  himfelf^'"'  ^^"""^ 
was  of  a  very  high  Nature,  and  deeply  concerned  the  Com- ^^^j^^^'j. 
pany.  For  the  Entries  of  their  Courts  being  the  Compa- 
ny's Records,  to  charge  them  with  Falfity,  was  to  call  into 
queftion  all  the  Records  and  Proceedings  of  the  Company. 
He  therefore  declared  the  Manner  of  entering  their  Courts  : 
Firft,  the  Secretary  drew  them  up,  and  brought  them  to 
him,  which  Draught  he,  according  to  the  Company's  Or- 
der, perufed  and  corre£led  ;  that  then  it  was  read  in  the 
next  Court,  diftindly.  Article  by  Article,  and  after  a  fuf- 
ficient  Paufe  and  Examination,  either  confirmed,  or  amend- 
ed;  after  which,  it  was  admitted  to  Record.  And  he  faid, 
that  the  very  Court,  i>Ow  fpoken  of  by  Mr.  Wrote^  had 
accordingly  gone  through  this  Courfe  ;  and  that  no  Excep- 
tions had  :been  taken  to  it,  not  even  by  Mr.  Wrote^  who 
was  then  prefent,  and  ought  to  have  objefted,  if  there  had 
been  any  thing  wrong.  For  he  would  otherwife  himfelf 
become  privy  and  consenting  to  the  Falfification,  which  he 
now  laid  to  his  Charge.  But  he  averred,  that  there  was 
nothing  in  it,  to  his  Knowledge,  wrong  entered  or  amifs  ; 
but  the  whole  was  truly  and  faithfully  fet  down,  by  the  Se- 
cretary and  himfelf,  according  to  the  Meaning  of  the  Court, 
as  they  conceived  ;  which  he  would,  by  the  Perfons,  that 
were  prefent  at  it,  fufficiently  prove.  And  as  to  bringing 
the  Company  three  thoufand  Pounds  in  Debt,  there  was, 
and  could  be,  no  Manner  of  Colour  or  Pretence  for  any 
fuch  thing.  He  therefore  folemnly  protefted  his  Innocen- 
cy  ;  and  as,  if  he  fhould  be  found  guilty  of  this  grievous 
Charge,  he  would  deferve  the  greateft  of  Punifhments,  fo 
he  humbly  infifted,  for  his  own  Juftification,  that  the  Mat- 
ter might  be  ftriilly  looked  into  and  examined. 

The  Earl  of  Southampton  alfo  told  Mr.  IVrote^  that  he 
feemed  to  take  himfelf  to  be  fo  great  a  Man,  that  they 
were  all,  as  Pigmies,  in  his  Sight  ;  but  as  he  did  not  know 
him  to  be  any  Prince  of  the  Blood,  fo  he  defired,  he 
would  carry  himfelf  with  more  Calmnefs  and  Decency. 
And  as  to  his  affrontive  Behaviour  to  Lord  Cavendijh^  the 
Earl  faid ;  that  altho'  they  were  all  there  equal,  as  Coun- 
fellors  of  the  Virginia  Company,  yet  there  was  a  very 
great  Difference  between  the  Perfons  of  divers  of  them  ; 
and  particularly  between  him  and  the  Lord  Cavendijh^  to 
whom  he  owed  a  more  refpe6lful  Language  and  Behaviour. 
And  fome  time  after,  prefling  him  upon  his  Rafhnefs  and  In- 
difcretion,  and  on  his  Failure  in  his  Duty,  as  a  Virginia  Coun- 
fellor,  Mr.  Wrote  went  out  abruptly  and  departed  j  faying, 
^  S  that 


248  r/6^   History   ^/  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

162a.     that  he   came  not  thither,  to  hear  ill  Words.     Whereupon 

' > 'the  Earl  appealed  to   the  Judgment   of  the    Council,   then 

Sir  f'-'""^"  prefent,  what  juft  Occafion  of  Offence  had  been  given  to 
Sor.^""  A4r.  IVrote^  that  he  fhould  go  off  in  that  rude  and  unre- 
fpedlful  Manner.  They  therefore  ordered  and  agreed,  that 
a  Colle6lion  fhould  be  made  of  thofe  Matters,  which 
fhould  be  objected  againfl  Mr.  IFrote  at  the  next  Quarter 
Court,  to  which  he  had  appealed.  And  in  the  mean  while, 
in  Regard  to  the  great  Contempt,  he  had  that  Day  fhew- 
ed,  they  fufpended  him  from  the  Council,  till  he  fhould 
clear  himfelf  of  the  Matters  laid  to  his  Charge,  and  fhould 
come  to  a  better  Temper  and  Deportment. 

Before  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Company,  Sir  John 
Brooke^  accompanied  with  Mr.  yohn  Farrar^  went  to  the 
Lord  Cavendijh^  and  told  him  ;  that  he  found  Mr.  Wrote 
forry,  for  what  he  had  done  ;  and  had  the  Earl  of  Sou- 
thampton been  in  Town,  he  would  have  gone  to  his  Lord- 
fhip,  and  given  him  Satisfa6lion.  He  therefore  defired 
Lord  Cavendijh^  on  Mr.  TVrote's  Behalf,  that  the  Couri:, 
which  was  the  next  Day  to  fit,  might  be  put  off.  For  if 
the  Proceedings  of  the  former  Court,  of  the  4th  of  De- 
cember^ fhould  be  openly  read,  Mr.  Wrote  would  be  put 
upon  his  Defence  and  Juftification  ;  which  would  tend  to 
widen  the  Breach,  and  to  render  the  thing  irreconcileable, 
which  there  were  now  Hopes  of  having  compromifed  and 
fettled  upon  amicable  Terms.  And  the  Lord  Cavendijh, 
out  of  this  Hope,  and  in  Compliance  with  Sir  "John  Brooked 
Requefl,  did  accordingly  caufe  the  Court  to  be  put  off  and 
deferred.  But  Mr.  Wrote  was  fo  far  from  anfwering  Sir 
162.3.  John  Brooke's  Expectation,  that  at  the  next  Meeting  of  the 
Company,  which  was  not  before  the  29th  of  January^  he 
made  this  very  thing  a  Subje6i:  of  Complaint  ;  as  if  that 
long  Intermiilion  of  Courts  had  been  purpofely  contrived 
to  his  Prejudice.  But  being  fully  anfwered  and  filenced 
on  this  Head,  by  the  joint  Teflimony  of  Lord  Cavendijh 
and  Sir  John  Brooke^  he  infifted,  that  the  Salary  Men,  as 
being  interefled  Perfons,  and  the  Deputy,  whom  he  mofl 
unjuftly  called  his  Accufer  (for  both  he  and  his  Brother 
were  ftill  faff  Friends  to  Mr.  Wrote^  and  endeavoured  to 
palliate  and  make  up  the  Affair)  fhould  not  be  prefent, 
when  his  Bulinefs  was  difcuffed.  He  alfo  excepted,  in  the 
grofs,  againfl  the  Entry  of  that  Court  ;  faying,  he  fpoke 
not  thofe  Words,  neither  in  Manner  nor  Form,  as  they 
were  there  fet  down.  Whereupon  a  long  Debate  enfued  ; 
Whether  it  was  agreeable  to  the  Cuflom  of  Courts,  and 
would  not  be  produ£live  of  great  Inconveniency  and  Dif- 
order,   and   raife   much    Queftion   and    infinite  Trouble  to 

the 


Book  V.      The   History   e/^  VIRGINIA.  249 

the   Company    by   the     Precedent    and    Example,    if   they      1623. 

fhould  fuffer  that,  which    had   been  entered  by  fworn  Offi-' y~-^ 

cers,  to  be  recommitted,  and  called  afrefh  in  queftion,  ^'''  Francis 
whenever  it  fhould  pleafe  any  Man,  to  make  Exceptions  -^''"'  °' 
againft  it.  But  for  Mr.  fi^rote's  Satisfa6lion,  and  to  take 
away  all  Pretence  of  Cavil  and  Complaint,  an  extraordinary 
Court  was  appointed,  to  examine  by  Parts,  and  to  rectify 
the  faid  Court  of  the  4th  of  December  ;  to  which  they 
only,  who  were  that  Day  prefent,  were  warned  or  ad- 
mitted, as  being  the  only  proper  WitnelTes  and  competent 
Judges  of  the  Matter. 

At  that  Court,  Mr.  Wt-vte  ftill  behaved,  in  the  fame 
unaccountable  and  diftempered  Manner.  He  faid,  he  fuf- 
fered  for  the  Service  of  his  Majefty,  and  for  doing  his  Du- 
ty. He  repeated  his  --Appeal  to  the  Quarter  Court;  and 
thanked  the  Gentlemen,  then  prefent,  for  prejudging  him 
to  that  Court.  He  alfo  declared,  if  the  Quarter  Court 
righted  him  not,  he  would  appeal  to  the  King,  the  Foun- 
tain of  Juftice  and  Mercy  ;  often  repeating  the  fame 
Words,  with  great  Paffion  and  Vehemence.  Mr.  yohn 
Farrar  having  faid,  that  fomething  was  untrue,  he  ran  to 
him,  and  whii'pered  in  his  Ear,  that  he  durft  not  have  faid 
■Untrue  to  him  in  another  Place.  For  which  rude  Swag- 
gering,  he  was  juftly  and  fharply  reproved,  by  the  Earl  of 
Southampton.  He  alledged,  that  Mr.  Withers.,  an  eminent 
Lawyer  of  the  Company,  had  fomewhere  faid,  that  the 
Earl  of  Southampton.,  as  a  Privy  Counfellor,  might  commit 
him  ;  and  protefted,  that  under  that  Fear,  he  durfl  not 
fpeak  freely.  He  likewife,  in  a  very  rude  and  afFrontive 
Manner,  charged  the  Earl  of  Southampton  with  faying  ; 
that  he  blundered  out  his  Indifcretion  ;  and  for  giving  him 
the  Lye  in  the  third  Perfon,  his  Lordftiip  having  faid  ;  That 
whoe\'er  fhould  fay,  that  Men  were  in  any  thing  overawed, 
and  durft  not  fpeak  their  Minds,  it  was  put  into  his  Mouth 
by  the  Father  of  Lies  ;  for  a  fouler  Lye  himfelf  never 
told.  The  Earl  owned,  that  he  had  fpoke  thofe  Words  ; 
and  he  faid,  he  would  juftify  and  maintain  them  ;  and  if  Mr. 
Wrote  applied  them  to  himfelf,  he  could  not  help  it.  But  as 
to  committing  him,  he  defired  him  to  be  under  no  fuch  Fear. 
For  whatever  Honours  and  Refpedls  were  due  to  him,  he 
laid  them  all  ailde,  when  he  came  to  that  Place,  and  only 
appeared  there,  as  their  Treafurer.  But  he  declared,  that 
had  Mr.  Wrote  behaved  himfelf  towards  him  fo,  in  any 
other  Place  but  that,  he  would  not  have  endured  it  fo  pa- 
tiently ;  and  he  therefore  willed  him,  to  be  more  mannerly 
and  difcreet.  As  to  the  Court  of  the  4th  of  December., 
svhich  they  then  met  to  examine  and  re<3:ify,  it  was  found 

82  to 


250  "The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     to  be  rightly  entered,  in  the  main  Points  and  mofi:  material 

^— V '  Paflages  ;  and  it  was  accordingly,  after  a  few  flight  Addi- 

Sir  Francis  ^^Q^^  ^j^j  Alterations,  fo  voted  and  determined,  by  an  al- 
vernor  °'  "^<^^  Unanimous  Voice,  one  Perfon  only  diffenting.  And 
to  put  the  Matter  ftill  further  out  of  Difpute,  the  Earl  of 
Southampton  fummoned  another  Court,  confifting  of  the 
fame  Perfons,  to  meet  three  Days  after,  and  to  fee,  that 
the  faid  Court  was  rightly  entered,  according  to  thofe  Re- 
formations and  Amendments. 

Soon  after,  Mr.  Wrote  prefented  a  Proje(5l,  for  the 
better  and  more  thrifty  Management  of  the  Contrail ; 
wherein  he  propofed,  to  have  the  whole  Bufinefs  performed 
for  twelve  hundred  Pounds  a  Year,  and  thereby  to  fave 
thirteen  hundred  Pounds  annually  to  his  Majefty  and  the 
Companies.  And  to  give  the  thing  the  fairer  Courfe  and 
Hearing,  the  Earl  of  Southampton  fummoned  another  Court 
extraordinary,  to  meet  and  examine  his  Propofal.  They 
went  through  the  Whole,  Article  by  Article  ;  and  after  a 
full  Deliberation  and  Debate,  which  lafted  a  whole  Day, 
till  late  at  Night,  each  Point  was  difapproved  and  reje6led, 
generally  unanimoufly,  and  never  with  above  three  or  four 
diffentient  from  the  reft  of  the  Company. 

The  5th  of  February  being  the  Quarter  Court  Day,  to 
which  Mr.  Wrote  had  appealed,  and  his  Affair  having  made 
a  great  Noife,  and  been  the  Subject  of  much  Scandal  and 
Defamation  to  the  Company,  there  was  a  very  numerous 
and  fplendid  Meeting,  confifting  of  fix  Lords,  thirty  Knights, , 
Dr.  Donne^  Dean  of  St.  Paul's^  and  a  vaft  Concourfe  of 
others,  Doilors,  Efquires,  Gentlemen,  Merchants,  and 
Citizens.  And  the  Lord  Cavendijh  alfo,  to  the  fame  Time 
and  Place,  fummoned  a  Court  of  the  Somer-IJlands  Com- 
pany, as  they  were  equally  concerned  and  engaged  in  the 
Bufinefs  of  the  Contrail.  But  Mr.  Wrote^  having  appear- 
ed in  Court,  foon  withdrew  ;  declaring  to  Sir  Samuel  San- 
dys (who  met,  and  afl^ed  him,  whither  he  was  going)  that 
he  was  ill  at  Eafe,  and  could  not  ftay.  However  Mr. 
Brooke^  and  other  Gentlemen,  learned  in  the  Law,  deliver- 
ed their  Opinions  clearly  ;  that  notwitftanding  his  Depar- 
ture, and  his  pretended  Appeal  to  his  Majefty,  as  there  was 
no  Evidence,  that  he  had  really  made  fuch  Appeal,  or  that 
his  Majefty  had  accepted  it,  they  were  no  way  debarred 
from  proceeding  againft  him,  in  a  due  and  legal  Manner. 
Whereupon  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  obferved,  that  Mr.  Wrote 
was  not  accufed,  or  profecuted,  to  that  Court,  but  was 
himfelf  the  Profecutor  and  Accufer.  If  therefore  his  Ac- 
cufation  was  well  and  juftly  grounded,  why  did  he  forfake 
it    then,  when  that  Day  and   that   Court   were  come,   to 

which 


Book  V.      TZ--^   History   ^/  VIRGINIA. 

which  he  himfelf  had  appealed  ;  and  when  the  Perfons,  by 
him  accufed,  ftood  there,  in  the  Face  of  the  Court,  ready 
to  fubmit  themfelves  to  the  Trial,  by  him  called  for  and  ^^  Francis 
demanded  ?  But,  he  faid,  Truth  and  Innocency  are  bold  ^  Jno'r, 
and  fettled,  whereas  Calumny  and  Falfhood  are  fugitive, 
fearful.  Wherefore,  as  it  was  apparent,  that  the  King's 
Ears  had  been  poffeffed,  and  all  Parts  of  the  Town  and 
Country  filled,  with  caufelefs  Clamours,  by  Mr.  Wrote  and 
his  Friends  ;  and  whereas  his  Wrongs  to  the  Council,  Com- 
mittee, and  whole  Company,  were  fo  great,  fo  groundlefs, 
and  fo  pernicious,  he  concluded,  that  unlefs  fome  Courfe 
was  taken,  to  punifli  and  reprefs  him,  he  could  not  fee, 
but  that  the  whole  Government  of  the  Company,  muft 
utterly  diflblve,  and  fall  into  the  moft  extreme  Confufion 
and  Contempt. 

Hereupon,  at  Sir  John  Davers's  Motion,  it  was  firft 
unanimoully  voted  and  agreed,  that  all  Mr.  Wrote's  Ex- 
ceptions, Charges,  and  Imputations,  at  the  late  Courts, 
were  utterly  falfe  and  flanderous.  And  then  proceeding  to 
his  Sentence,  after  a  long  Debate,  in  which  fome  propofed 
fevere,  and  others  more  gentle  Methods,  it  was  at  laft  con- 
cluded and  refolved  ;  that  he  fliould  be  difplaced,  and  for 
ever  excluded  from  being  of  his  Majefty's  Council  for  Vir- 
ginia ;  and  that  he  fhould  not  be  entirely  difenfranchifed 
from  the  Company,  but  ftiould  only  be  fufpended  and  ex- 
cluded from  their  Courts,  for  one  whole  Year  abfolutely, 
in  which  his  Submiffion  fhould  not  be  accepted,  altho'  he 
fliould  offer  it.  But  if,  at  the  Expiration  of  that  Year, 
he  fliould  make  his  Submiffion  to  the  next  Quarter  Court, 
that  then  it  fliould  be  left  to  the  Pleafure  of  that  Court, 
whether  they  would  re-admit  him  or  not*  But  without  a 
full  Submiffion,  and  due  Acknowledgment  of  his  Fault,  it 
was  ordered,  that  he  fliould  never  be  received  at  all.  And 
it  was  further  refolved,  upon  Sir  John  Davers's  Motion, 
that,  if  Mr.  Wrote  ftill  perfifted  in  his  wilful  Courfes  and 
unjufl:  Afperfions,  or  fliould  any  way  wrong  or  molefl:  the 
Company,  then,  for  his  Conviilion  and  Difgrace,  and  for 
the  Company's  Jufl:ification,  his  Sentence,  together  with 
an  authentic  Copy  of  his  whole  Proceedings,  fliould  be  put 
into  Print. 

It  was  the  Company's  great  Unhappinefs,  that  whatever 
Contefts  or  Diflenfions  happened  among  them,  the  thing 
was  always  carried  to  his  Majefty  in  the  worft  Light ;  who 
was  but  too  ready  and  willing,  to  receive  Impreffions  to 
their  Prejudice.  And  fo  it  happened  in  this  Cafe  of  Mr. 
Wrote.  For  Sir  Henry  Mildmay^  profeffing  himfelf,  to  be 
neither  of  the  Fa6lion,  nor  the  FacSlious,  and  that  he  came 

S  3  not 


252  rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

162.3.     not   to   ftir    up    Storms,  but    to   allav  them,  informed    the 

' ^^ ■  Company,  that  upon   fome  late  Difcourfe  with  the  King, 

Sir  Francis Y^-^^  Majefty  toolc  Notice  of  thefe  Differences,  which  were 
vernor.  °' ^  great  Hindrance  to  the  main  Bufinefs,  and  to  things  of 
efpecial  Confequence  to  the  Colony  ;  to  which  he  alfo  at- 
tributed the  great  Difcouragement  of  divers  Adventurers, 
and  their  Willingnefs  to  give  up  their  Shares.  And  his 
Majefty  farther  fignified  his  Will,  that  the  Liberty  of  the 
Companv,  in  every  kind,  fhould  be  preferved  and  kept 
entire  ;  and  particularly,  that  no  Man  fliould  be  abridged 
of  the  Libertv  to  fpeak  his  Mind  freelv,  fo  he  did  it  with 
due  Refpe6f  and  Decorum.  But  this,  he  faid,  he  fpoke, 
not  as  from  the  King,  but  as  his  private  Advice  and  Admo- 
nition. And  afterwards  at  this  Quarter  Court,  when  Mr. 
JVrote^s  Bufinefs  came  on,  he  informed  the  Company,  that 
what  he  had  before  intimated  to  them,  as  from  himfelf,  he 
had  now  Warrant  from  his  Majefty  to  tell  them  ;  who,  by 
Way  of  Advice  and  Council,  but  no  way  to  command 
them,  wiftied,  that  they  would  leave  verbal  Differences, 
and  go  on  with  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Plantation. 

Upon  Occafion  of  this  Information  of  Sir  Henry  Mild- 
may^  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  obi'erved,  that  of  all  Mr.  Wrote's, 
Calumnies  and  Accufations,  none  was  more  unjuft,  nor 
more  apparently  falfe  and  groundlefs,  than  that,  wherein 
he  charged  the  Earl  of  Southampton  (though  not  by  Name, 
yet  by  neceffary  Inference)  of  overawing  the  Company, 
and  depriving  them  of  the  Liberty  of  Speech.  And  the 
Earl  told  Sir  Henry  Mildmay^  if  it  was  his  Majefty's  Plea- 
fure,  that  they  fnould  not  meddle  with  any  evil  Words, 
or  feditious  Behaviour,  they  would  all  obey  and  defift  from 
the  prefent  Bufinefs.  But  Sir  Henry  declaring,  that  he  had 
no  fuch  Command,  but  only  Warrant,  to  fpeak  by  Way 
of  Advice,  what  he  had  now  delivered,  the  Court  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Cenfure  of  Mr.  Wrote.  And  the  Earl  of 
Southampton  farther  faid,  that  this  thing  feemed  very  ftrange 
and  unaccountable  to  him,  but  he  muft  attribute  it  wholly 
to  Mifinformation  ;  and  he  wondered,  that  any  Man  fhould 
be  found,  fo  fhamelefs  and  void  of  all  Truth  and  Confci- 
ence,  as  thus  to  abufe  the  Ears,  and  mifinform  the  Mind 
of  a  King.  Whereupon  he  appealed  to  the  Court,  to  bear 
Witnefs  in  that  Point ;  and  they  all,  with  an  univerfal 
Confent  and  unanimous  Voice,  declared,  that  it  was  a  falfe 
and  unjuft  Imputation  ;  and  that  they  were  not  overawed, 
but  enjoyed  fuch  Freedom  and  Liberty  of  Speech,  as  was 
in  no  other  Company  permitted.  And  this  Declaration  they 
often  afterwards  repeated,  with  the  fame  Unanimity  ;  the 
opponent   Fa6fion   themfelves,   altho'    they    infinuated    and 

kept 


Book.  V.       "The    History   ^/"VIRGINIA. 

kept  up  the  Lye  at  a  Diftance,  not  being  fo  abandoned  to 
all  Senfe  of  Shame,  as  to  fay  any  fuch  thing,  in  the  Face' 
of  the  Court,  where  there  were  fo  many  WitnefTes  to  dif-^"^  •'^''''"'" 
prove  and  confound  them.  Divers  of  the  Company  alio  ^'^^- ^^^no\. 
ther  faid,  that  if  Men  fhould  ufe  half  the  Liberty  of  Speech  . 
in  fome  Companies  of  the  City,  or  demean  themfelves  with 
fo  much  Rudenefs  and  Diforder,  as  feveral  Members  did 
in  that  Court,  it  would  not  be  fuffered  or  endured,  but  they 
would  be  either  punifhed  in  the  Purfe,  or  fent  to  the  Coun- 
ters. And  in  Truth,  the  grand  Fault  of  the  Earl  of  Sou- 
thampton and  this  Court  was,  not  a  tyrannical  Government, 
or  imperious  Reftraint  of  the  Freedom  of  Speech  and  De- 
bate, but  rather,  out  of  a  Principle  of  Candor  and  Fairnefs, 
the  giving  too  much  Way  to  Impertinence  and  Licentiouf- 
nefs  of  Tongue ;  which  had  it  been  properly  reftrained, 
and  duly  punifhed,  it  would,  in  all  Probability,  have  pre- 
ferved  the  Being  and  Privileges  of  the  Company,  and  pre- 
vented that  DilTolution,  which  followed. 

From  the  very  Beginning  of  this  Commotion,  Sir  Ed- 
win Sandys  defired  Mr.  Wrote^  not  to  be  difturbed  at  his 
Office  and  Salary.  For  as  he  had  accepted  them  with  much 
Relu6lancy,  and  in  fole  Obedience  to  the  Company's  Re- 
queft,  as  they  all  knew  and  could  teftify,  fo  he  would  refign 
both  the  one  and  the  other,  with  a  much  better  Will,  than 
he  had  ever  received  them.  And  he  accordingly  often  made 
and  declared  his  Refignation,  and  very  ferioufly  protefted, 
that  he  would  never  again  accept  the  Place  ;  and  that,  in 
Refentment  of  the  late  Courfes  taken  to  defame  the  Officers 
and  Salaries,  he  would  not,  for  any  Reward  whatfoever, 
any  longer  put  up  with,  and  endure  fuch  Affronts  and  A- 
bufes.  He  therefore  defired  the  Company,  to  make  Choice 
of  fome  other  to  the  Place  of  Dire6lor,  that  the  Bufmefs, 
for  the  Want  of  that  Officer,  might  not  fland  flill,  or  re- 
ceive any  Prejudice. 

But  as  Mr.  Wrote  had  thus  moved  a  frefh  the  Affair  of 
the  Officers  and  Salaries,  Sir  Henry  M'lldmay  confeffed,  that, 
altho'  he  was  not  dire6lly  of  Mr.  lVrote'%  Opinion,  and  the 
Salaries  had  formerly  paffed  with  his  Vote,  yet  upon  fecond 
Thoughts,  he  had  fince  changed  that  Opinion,  and  now 
conceived,  that  fuch  large  Salaries  was  the  ready  Way  to 
ruin  and  overthrow  the  whole  Bufinefs  ;  which,  in  his  Judg- 
ment, might  have  been  better  hufbanded.  And  he  particu- 
larly infilled,  that  as  the  Salaries  were  to  be  raifed  upon  the 
Tobacco,  it  would  be  a  great  Burthen  and  Oppreffion  on 
the  poor  Planter  ;  which  had  alfo  been  a  popular  and  con-  • 
ftant  Theme  of  Declamation  with  Mr.  Wrote.  In  this  O- 
pinion,   Sir   Henry  Mildmay   was    feconded    by    Sir    Thomas 

S  4  Wroth, 


254  "T^he   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.      Wroth^    Mr.    Edward   John/on^    and    fome    others.       This 

' -i Point  therefore  of  the  Officers  and  Salaries  was  again  called 

Sir  ^'■'""•'i  wholly  into  Queftion  and  reconfidered,  at  a  Court,  held  for 
venTor  °' that  Purpofe,  on  the  1 2th  of  February.  At  that  time,  the 
Oppofers  of  the  Salaries  defired,  for  various  Reafons  and 
Allegations,  that  the  Confideration  might  be  referred  to  a 
farther  Day.  But  Mr.  Deputy  faid,  it  feemed  wonderful 
to  him,  that  Men,  who  had  raifed  fuch  Storms  and  Cla- 
mours about  the  Salaries,  not  only  to  the  Difparagement  of 
the  Company's  Proceedings,  but  alfo  much  to  the  Hindrance 
of  the  Plantation,  and  to  the  Difgrace  and  Defamation  of 
fome  very  worthy  Perfons,  for  accepting  thofe  Places,  fhould 
now,  after  all  this  Scandal  raifed,  and  Mifchief  done,  be  yet 
unprepared  with  plain  and  evident  Reafons,  to  overthrow 
them.  And  he  faid,  he  marvelled  the  more  at  this,  as  he 
then  faw,  before  his  Eyes,  fome  Perfons,  who  declared,  at 
the  Council  of  the  nth  of  December.,  when  the  Confidera- 
tion of  the  Salaries  was  referred  to  that  prefent  Day,  that 
they  would,  againft  this  Time,  arm  and  fortify  themfelves, 
to  cut  the  Throat  of  the  Salaries.  Wherefore  he  earneftly 
befought  them,  not  to  interpofe  any  farther  Delays,  but 
now  at  length  produce  thofe  ■  Reafons,  for  which  they  had 
fo  much  traduced  and  defamed  both  the  Salaries  and  the  Of- 
ficers. For  they  had  certainly  had  fufficient  Time,  to  con- 
fider  and  ripen  the  Matter  ;  and  nothing  would  be  Reafon 
in  any  future  Dav,  which  was  not  then  fo.  Hereupon 
there  arofe  a  very  long  Debate  ;  till  the  Company,  being 
little  fatisfied  with  the  Reafons  given,  and  much  wearied 
with  the  many  Diverfions,  made  from  the  main  Queftion, 
efpecially  by  Alderman  Johnfon.,  called  upon  the  Earl  of 
Southampton  to  put  it  to  the  Vote  ;  and  it  was  again  voted 
and  agreed,  with  an  unanimous  Voice  (the  Gentlemen  in 
the  Oppofition  either  retiring,  or  elfe  finding,  how  inconfi- 
derable  their  Number  was,  giving  no  Vote  at  all)  that  the 
Officers  and  Salaries  fhould  ftand,  as  they  had  been  former- 
ly ordered  and  appointed. 

This  was  indeed  a  very  great  Concurrence  and  Unani- 
mity of  the  Company,  in  the  only  Affair,  for  which  the 
opponent  Fa6f:ion  ever  feemed  to  have  had  the  leaft  Colour 
or  Shadow  of  Reafon.  But  altho'  the  Sum  of  five  and  twen- 
ty hundred  Pounds  a  Year,  for  the  Management  of  this  Bu- 
finefs,  may,  at  a  flight  View,  be  thought  very  great  and 
extraordinary,  yet  if  it  be  confidered,  that  thofe  Officers  (as 
it  was  then  calculated  and  agreed)  would  have  an  hundred 
thoufand  Pounds  per  Annum.,  running  through  their  Hands, 
it  will  not  be  found  fo  exorbitant  and  exceffive.  For  it  only 
amounts  to  two  and  a  half  per  Cent,  whereof  five  hundred 

Pounds 


Book  V.     'The   History   of   VIRGINIA.  255 

Pounds  a  Year,  or  the  half  per  Cent,  was  not  to  be  expended,      ^623. 
except  it  could  be  evidently  applied  for  raifing  the  Price  of  """"^v""^ 
Tobacco.      And  the  two  great  Salaries,  arifing  to  nine  hun-  ^  Fram:is 
dred  Pounds  a  Year,  againft  which  their  Exceptions  chiefly  yernor. 
lay,   did   not  amount   quite  to   one  per   Cent,   whereas  the 
whole   Strefs  and   Burthen  of  the   Bufinefs  would  lie '"upon 
thofe  two  Officers,  and  its  Succefs  entirely  depend  upon  their 
Induftry,  Care,  and  Dexterity,  in  the  Management  of  it. 

At  this  Court,  the  Lord  Cavendifh  alfo  moved,  that  fince 
Sir  Edwin  Sandys  would,  by  no  means,  hold  the  Place  of 
Dire6lor  any  longer,  they  would  propofe  fome  other  Perfon 
for  that  Office.  Whereupon  fome  named  Sir  Nathaniel 
Rich  ;  but  he  excufed  himfelf,  as  uncapable  of  difcharging 
fuch  an  Office,  and  would  not  therefore  undertake  it,  for 
ten  thoufand  Pounds  a  Year.  But  he  declared,  if  he  thought 
himfelf  fit  for  the  Bufinefs,  he  would  willingly  do  it  for  no- 
thing. Then  Sir  Thomas  Wroth.,  and  Mr.  Edward  Johnfon^ 
an  eminent  Lawyer,  and  very  worthy  Member  of  the  So- 
ciety, were  propofed  ;  but  they  both  refufed,  as  no  way 
fkilled  in  fuch  Bufinefs,  or  able  to  execute  the  Place.  Af- 
terwards it  was  put  to  the  Queftion  ;  Whether  the, Compa- 
ny would  accept  of  Sir  Edtvin  Sandys\  Refignation,  and  it 
was,  by  a  general  Ere6lion  of  Hands,  denied.  He  was 
therefore  very  preffingly  entreated,  not  to  leave  the  Place, 
upon  any  Difcouragement  whatfoever  ;  the  Company  pro- 
feffing,  that,  without  his  Affiftance,  they  much  doubted  of 
the  good  Management  and  Succefs  of  fo  difficult  a  Bufinefs. 
Even  fome  of  the  moft  violent  in  the  Oppofition  did,  at 
other  times,  exprefs  great  Satisfa6lion  in  the  Choice  of  Sir 
Edwin  Sandys ;  and  declared,  that  he,  or  no  Body,  was 
able  to  go  through  with  fo  thorny  and  troublefome  an  Em- 
ployment :  Whilft  others  feemed  difinclined  and  backward, 
to  be  any  way  engaged  in  it,  except  it  was  under  his  Ma- 
nagement and  Diredion.  And  thus  the  Office  of  Director 
was,  a  fecond  Time  forced  upon  Sir  Edwin  Sandys.,  with  a 
very  general  and  honourable  Teftimony  of  the  Company  ; 
and  he  accordingly,  with  the  Committee,  entered  into  Con- 
fultation,  about  a  proper  Courfe  and  Regulation  of  the  Bu- 
finefs -,  which,  being  brought  before  the  Company,  was 
generally  approved  and  confirmed. 

But  the  Centlemen  in  the  Oppofition,  finding  all  At- 
tempts with  the  Company  vain,  took  another  and  more 
effeilual  Way  to  deftroy  the  Contra6i:.  For,  twelve  Days 
after  the  Thing  had  been  thus  examined  a  frefh,  and  again 
fettled  and  determined,  the  Earl  of  Southampton  and  Lord 
Cavendifh.,  the  Treafurer  and  Governor  of  the  two  Com- 
panies, with  the  two  Farrars.,  the  Deputies,  Sir  fohn  Da- 
36  vers. 


256  'The    History    ^/VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

1623.     vers^  Sir  Edwin   Sandys,  and  fome  others,  were  called  be- 

" ■< '  fore   the   Lord  Treafurer  ;    where   appeared,  on   the   other 

Sir  Francis  p^j.^.^  ^\^^  g^rl  of  IVarivick,  Sir  Nathaniel  Rich,  Alderman 
Zrno\.^°'  7'^f^"fi"^  Mr.  IFrote,  Mr.  Bing,  and  others  of  that  Faclion, 
who  were  feconded  and  affiflied  bv  Sir  fohn  Woljhnhohne  and 
the  Cuftomers.  There  palled  much  Difpute  and  Contradic- 
tion between  the  two  Parties,  which  the  Lord  Treafurer  heard 
with  great  Patience,  and  without  the  leaft  Interruption  to 
either  Side.  And  it  was  here  confidently  averred,  efpecially 
by  Mr.  Wrote  and  Mr.  Bing,  that  the  Companies,  in  car- 
rying the  Contrail,  had  been  overawed  by  the  Earl  of  Sou- 
thampton ;  and  threatened,  unlefs  the  Contrail  proceeded, 
the  Colonies  would  be  taken  from  them.  At  length,  one 
of  the  Cuftomers  propofed  to  the  Lord  Treafurer,  that  fince 
the  Contract  had  been  the  Subjedi  of  fo  much  Contention 
and  Difcord,  it  might  be  immediately  diflolved  ;  and  that 
the  Companies  fhould  be  obliged,  to  bring  all  their  Tobacco 
into  England,  and  pay  the  old  twelve  Pence  a  Pound,  Cuf- 
tom  and  Impoft  5  which,  he  faid,  would  be  more  fatisfac- 
tory  to  the  Planters,  and  more  beneficial  to  the  King.  And 
he  then  proceeded  to  calculate  and  (hew,  that  a  Revenue,  of 
twenty  thoufand  Pounds  a  Year  upon  Tobacco,  would  be 
thence  raifed  for  his  Majefty  ;  which  was  the  utmoft,  that 
had  been  aimed  at  or  expefted.  The  Lord  Treafurer  alfo 
reminded  the  Companies  of  the  great  Grace  and  Fa\our,  his 
Majefty  had  fhewed  them,  by  granting  them  Lotteries,  and 
other  Means,  for  the  Advancement  of  the  Colonies.  And 
this,  by  the  bye,  was  always  infifted  on,  as  a  vaft  and  infi- 
nite Obligation,  which  the  Companies  could  never  return  ; 
and  it  was  therefore  for  ever  urged  as  an  Argument,  for 
their  granting  his  Majefty,  whatever  he  demanded.  And 
his  Lordfhip  concluded,  that  it  was  a  very  unfit  and  un- 
grateful thmg,  whether  there  was  a  Contrail,  or  no  Con- 
trail, not  to  bring  all  their  Tobacco  into  England,  to  pay 
Duty,  that  his  Majefty's  Revenue  might  be  thereby  ad- 
vanced. 

These  Expreftions  of  the  Lord  Treafurer  were  received 
with  great  Applaufe  and  Approbation,  by  the  JVarwickian 
Faction  ;  who  declared,  that  it  had  ever  been  their  Defire, 
that  all  the  Tobacco  ftiould  be  brought  into  England.  And 
Mr.  Wrote  farther  faid,  that  the  Colony  in  Virginia  had  fent 
a  Petition,  to  be  exhibited  to  his  Majefty,  to  that  Purpofe  ; 
which  was  however  never  prefented  to  the  King,  but  had 
been  concealed  and  fupprefled  by  the  Deputy.  By  this  he 
meant  the  Petition,  already  recited  [p.  200)  which  vi^as  fent, 
when  no  Tobacco  from  Virginia  was  imported  into  England ; 
but  coming  after  the  Prohibition  was  taken  off,  it  was  there- 
fore 


BookV.       T:he   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

fore  never  prefented.  The  Earl  of  Southampton  therefore 
replied,  that  the  Colony  meant  nothing  lefs  by  that  Peti- 
tion, than  what  he  now  pretended.  For  the  Scope  of  it  was, 
to  obtain  Liberty  to  bring  Tobacco  into  England^  at  a  time, 
when  they  were  utterly  debarred  from  importing  any.  At 
laft  they  were  difmifled  ;  and  the  Lord  High  Treafurer  told 
them,  they  might  ftill  proceed  with  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Con- 
trail:, notwithftanding  thefe  Diffenfions  and  Oppofitions. 

But  foon  after,  they  were  again  fummoned,  to  meet 
before  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  on  the  4th  of  March ; 
Sir  Ediuin  Sandys  (the  Earl  of  Southampton  being  then  out 
of  Town)  and  the  two  Farrars^  with  fuch,  as  they  fhould 
bring  with  them,  for  the  Virginia  Company,  and  for  the 
other  Side,  Sir  Thotnas  Smith  and  Alderman  John/on^  with 
fuch  Advocates  and  Affiltants,  as  they  fhould  chufe  ;  for  the 
Somer-IJlands  Company,  the  Lord  Cavendijh^  and  fuch,  as 
he  would  bring  with  him,  and  of  the  oppofite  Party,  the 
Earl  of  Warwick^  or  Sir  Nathaniel  Rich^  with  fuch  others, 
as  they  thought  proper.  On  that  Day,  they  appeared  ac- 
cordingly, being  attended  by  the  Lord  St.  'John^  Lord  Pa- 
get^ Sir  Edward  Sackvi/^  Sir  fohn  Brooke^  Sir  fohn  Davers^ 
Sir  Robert  Killigreiu^  and  divers  other  eminent  Members  of 
the  Company  ;  and  they  were  told  by  the  Lord  High  Trea- 
furer, that  this  Meeting  had  been  appointed  to  examine  fun- 
dry  Complaints,  that  had  been  exhibited  againft  the  Con- 
trail, by  fome  particular  Members  of  their  Companies. 
Whereupon  the  Lord  Cavendijh  made  Proteflation,  that,  as 
the  Contrail  had  often  been,  moft  fairly  and  regularly,  vo- 
ted and  concluded,  in  feveral  Quarter  Courts,  neither  him- 
felf,  nor  the  reft  of  the  Company,  which  then  attended, 
came  to  give  any  Satisfailion  to  thofe  Members,  which 
now  oppofed  it.  For  they  were  not  only,  as  the  leffer  Part, 
involved  in  the  general  Agreement  of  the  Majority,  but 
had,  moft  of  them,  ailually  given  their  Votes  and  Confent 
to  the  Contrail ;  and  it  would  be  to  the  Prejudice  and  De- 
ftruilion  of  all  good  Government,  to  be  perpetually  tam- 
pering and  treating  with  them  about  it.  But  he  faid,  if 
their  Lordftiips,  upon  any  fmifter  Surmifes  or  Informations, 
had  conceived  any  Doubts  about  the  Matter,  himfelf,  and 
the  reft,  were  both  ready  and  willing,  to  give  their  Lord- 
fliips  an  Account  of  their  whole  Proceedings,  and  fuch  an 
Account,  as  they  trufted  and  were  alTured,  would,  in  every 
Particular,  give  all  reafonable  Satisfailion. 

Hereupon,  the  Lords  of  the  Council  requiring  fome 
of  the  Complainants  to  make  known  their  Grievances,  Mr. 
Bing  ftepped  forth,  and  made  a  long  and  very  bitter  Invec- 
tive againft  the  Contrail,  and  the  Manner  of  palling  it.     In 

this, 


Sir  Francis 
Wyat,  Go- 
vernor. 


258  "the   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

162.3.     this,  he  ufed  great  Sharpnefs  and  Freedom  of  Speech  againft 

^■"""^ '  the   Earl   of  Southampton  5    and  endeavoured,  by   ridiculous 

Sir  Francis  2LnA  mimick   Geftures,  to  mock,  and  turn  him  into  Con- 
fvyat,  Go-  (.gj^p|._      g^-  ]yjj._  ^/„pr  ^^s  not  now  in  the  Vir?ima  Court  ; 

vernor,  *  °  .  ,  , 

where  he  and  his  Party  had  long  indulged  themfelves,  in  a 
moft  immoderate  Licentioufnefs  of  Speech,  and  Indecency 
of  Behaviour.  And  therefore,  altho'  the  Earl  of  Southamp- 
ton was  no  ways  gracious  at  Court,  nor  confequently  to  the 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  his  Majefty's  immediate  Crea- 
tures, yet  they  fharply  checked  and  rebuked  him.  But  the 
Lord  Cavendijh  appealed  to  their  Lordfhips  for  Juftice  a- 
gainft  him,  for  having  fo  wronged  and  abufed  the  Earl  of 
Southampton^  a  Peer  of  the  Realm,  and  a  Member  of  that 
Board,  as  well  now  in  their  Lordfhips  Prefence,  as  at  other 
Times  and  Places,  as  he  was  ready,  abundantly  to  prove. 
Wherefore  Mr.  B'lng  was  afterwards  committed  to  the  Mar- 
flielfea,  by  an  Order  of  the  Privy  Council  j  from  whence 
he  was  not  to  be  releafed,  until  he  had  made  due  Submillion 
to  the  Earl  of  Southampton^  and  given  him  all  fitting  Satif- 
faflion. 

But  as  to  the  main  Subje6l  of  Complaint  in  Mr.  Bing's 
Speech,  the  Lord  Treafurer  propofed  to  the  Companies  Three 
Points,  to  be  confidered  :  Firft,  whether  the  Companies 
had  been  overawed  ?  Secondly,  whether  the  Contract  was 
for  the  Good  of  the  Colonies  ?  And  Laftlv,  if  it  was  not  for 
the  Good  of  the  Colonies,  how  it  might  be  made  fo  ?  The 
debating  and  clearing  up  thefe  Points  took  the  whole  Day, 
both  Forenoon  and  Afternoon.  At  length,  after  a  long 
Hearing  and  Deliberation,  the  Lord  Cavendijh^  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys^  and  Mr.  Nicholas  Farrar^  Deputy  of  the  Virginia 
Company,  were  called  in,  and  told  by  the  Lord  Prefident 
of  the  Council ;  that  they  had  given  a  good  Account,  both 
of  the  Reafons,  which  induced  them  to  conclude  the  Con- 
tradi,  and  of  their  fair  and  upright  Proceeding  in  pafling  it. 
And  he  promifed,  that  a  Report  fliould  be  made  to  his  Ma- 
jefty,  by  that  Board,  accordingly ;  and  he  doubted  not, 
but  that  the  Contradt  would  be  confirmed  to  them,  or  elfe 
fome  other  Bargain  granted,  as  much  to  their  Content  and 
Advantage.  The  Lord  Treafurer  likewife  gave  them  a  moft 
honourable  Teftimony,  of  their  upright  Proceedings,  and 
wife  Adminiftration  of  the  Afi^airs  of  the  Colonies,  for  the 
four  laft  Years  ;  in  which,  he  faid,  they  had  thriven  won- 
derfully, and  profpered  bevond  Belief.  And  his  Lordfhip 
further  added,  that  in  the  former  Years,  when  Alderman 
"Johnfon  was  Deputy,  and  the  Bufinefs  was  in  other  Hands, 
it  was  carried  foulv  and  diforderly  \  fo  that,  if  the  Perfons, 
then  in  the  Government  of  the  Companies,  ftiould  be  called 

to 


Book  V.      The   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

to  an  Account   for  their   Proceedings,  he   queftioned,  whe- 
ther their  Eftates  would  anfwer  it. 

And  thus  did  this  Affair  go  off,  in  all  Appearance,  great- ^"'  ^''^""^ 
ly  to  the  Honour  of  the  Companies,  and  to  the  utter  Y)\(- ^^-^^^l 
grace  and  Confufion  of  the  oppofite  Fatflion.  But  whilft 
the  Companies  were  engaged  in  debating  the  Matter  before 
the  Council,  the  Earl  of  Wariuick  and  Mr.  Wrote  were  with 
the  King  ;  and  what  Effect  their  Calumnies  and  Infinua- 
tions  might  have  on  the  Mind  of  that  weak  Prince,  may  be 
eafily  judged  by  the  Event.  For  the  Virginia  Company, 
being  incouraged  by  the  Third  Point,  propofed  by  the  Lord 
Treafurer,  to  be  confidered,  vi%.  If  the  Contrail  was  not 
for  the  Good  of  the  Colonies,  how  it  might  be  made  fo  \ 
reconfidered  the  Whole,  in  each  Article  and  Particular,  and 
propofed  fuch  Alleviations  in  the  hardeft  Parts,  as  they  con- 
ceived reafonable,  or  thought  there  were  any  Hopes  of  ob- 
taining. And  to  this  End,  the  Gentlemen  in  the  Oppofition 
were  exprefly  invited  and  defired,  to  join  with  them  ;  that, 
laying  afide  all  Study  of  Party  and  Contradi6lion,  they  might 
unanimoufly,  and  with  the  Calmnefs  of  Reafon,  examine 
and  find  out,  what  was  moft  neceffary  and  beneficial  for  the 
Colonies.  But  the  Principal  of  thofe  Gentlemen  not  vouch- 
fafing  their  Prefence,  they  proceeded,  and  drew  up  a  long 
and  particular  Reprefentation  of  the  whole  Matter  to  the 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  ;  that  they  might  affift  their 
Suit,  and  be  Interceffors  to  his  Majefty  for  them.  But 
whilft  thefe  things  were  in  Agitation,  the  whole  Contra6t 
was  fuddenly  declared  by  his  Majefty,  to  be  void  and  of  none 
Effe6l.  But  I  cannot  difcover  the  exa6t  Day,  when  this 
was  done  ;  nor  what  were  the  Reafons  or  Pretences  for  it. 

And  this  was  the  End  of  the  Company's  Contrail  with 
his  Majefty,  for  the  fole  Importation  of  Tobacco  ;  an  Af- 
fair, which  raifed  vaft  Heats  and  Animofities,  and  gave  a 
Handle,  efpecially  on  Account  of  the  two  great  Salaries, 
to  much  Clamour  and  Reproach.  And  by  this  Means,  the 
Warwickian  Failion  were  ftrengthened  by  the  Acceffion  ot 
Mr.  Wrote^  Mr.  Gihhs^  Mr.  Bing^  and  other  Perfons  of  Confi- 
deration  and  Figure  ;  and  it  was  now  encreafed  to  twenty  fix 
in  the  whole,  whereas  it  had  before  been  even  lefs  nume- 
rous and  potent.  As  to  the  Contrail  itfelf,  it  was  acknow- 
ledged, by  thofe,  who  were  moft  vigorous  in  upholding  it, 
not  to  be  abfolutely  and  in  itfelf  advantageous,  but  only 
comparatively  good,  with  Refpeil  to  their  former  State  of 
Slavery  and  Oppreffion  under  the  Cuftomers  and  Farmers 
of  his  Majefty's  Revenues,  and  as  it  would  fliield  them  from 
their  farther  illegal  and  arbitrary  Impofitions.  And  the 
Breach  of  it  was,  at  this  time,  the  moi'e  apprehended,  as  it 

was 


26o  "The   History   of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     .^as  likely,   that  a  fole   Importation   would  be  granted    to 

' y '  fome  other  Perfons,  who  made  Offer  of  fo  exceeding  and 

Sir  Francis  j^rge  a   Revenue  to  his  Majefty,  as   could  not    poffibly  be 
vemcr     °~  ^ifed,  but  with   the   extreme   OpprefTion   of  the  Colonies, 
and  greatly  to  the  Prejudice,  if  not  to  the  utter  Deftru6lion, 
of  their  growing  Trade  and  Staple  of  Tobacco. 

But  the  Faction,  that  oppofed  the  Companies,  did  not 
only,  by  the  Diflblution  of  the  Contrail,  endanger  the 
Trade,  and  render  it  again  fubjetSl  to  the  Rapacioufnefs  and 
Extortions  of  the  Farmers  and  Cuftomers,  but  their  Con- 
tentioufnefs  and  Malice  had  another  unhappv  Confequence. 
It  hath  been  already  related,  that,  in  O^ober  1621,  the 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  commanded  all  the  Tobacco 
and  other  Commodities,  to  be  brought  from  Virginia  into 
England ;  but  upon  Reafons  given,  and  a  Reprefentation 
made  by  the  Company,  the  Matter  refted,  and  had  been  no 
farther  infifted  on.  But  now,  chieflv  at  the  Inftigation,  and 
by  the  Offers  and  Motions  of  the  opponent  Failion,  their 
Lordfhips  renewed  that  Order,  in  very  ftrong  and  peremp- 
tory Terms.  For,  on  the  4th  of  March^  when  the  Com- 
panies were  before  the  Council,  the  Lord  Cavendifi^  Sir 
Edwin  Sandys^  and  Mr.  Deputy  Farrar^  of  the  Virginia 
Company,  were  very  fharply  reprimanded  and  threatened, 
becaufe  fome  Ships  had  lately  gone  from  the  Colonies  to 
Holland;  and  they  were  ordered,  to  fignify  and  declare  to 
their  Companies,  that  it  was  the  Pleafure  and  exprefs  Com- 
mand of  that  Board,  that  all  the  Tobacco  and  other  Com- 
modities of  the  Plantations,  fhould  be  brought  direilly  to 
England. 

W  HEN  this  Affair  came  before  the  Company,  Sir  Ed- 
win Sandys  faid,  that  he  fhould  always  be  the  Son  of  Obe- 
dience, and  yield  a  ready  Submiffion  to  the  Commands  of 
the  higher  Powers  ;  as  he  well  knew,  it  was  the  Intent  and 
Inclination  of  the  Company  to  do.  Yet,  in  Cafes  of  evi- 
dent Impoffibilitv  or  publick  Detriment,  he  thought  it  the 
Part  of  well-ordered  Duty,  to  make  a  juft  and  true  Reprefen- 
tation of  the  Matter,  and  modeftly  propofe  their  Reafons 
againft  it.  He  therefore  obferved,  that  the  Commodities 
of  Virginia  had  three  feveral  Sorts  of  Owners  :  Firft,  the 
Company  ;  fecondly,  particular  Hundreds  and  Plantations, 
belonging  to  private  Adventurers  in  England.^  as  Southamp- 
ton Hundred,  Martin  s,  Hundred,  and  the  like  ;  and  thirdly, 
Planters  inhabiting  and  refiding  in  Virginia^  whofe  Part  he 
conceived  to  be  far  the  largeft  and  moft  confiderable.  As 
to  the  firft,  the  Company's  Commodities,  they  certainly  had 
them  in  their  own  Power,  and  could  always  import  them 
into  England.      But  over  the  two  latter  Sorts,  he  conceived 

the 


/ 


Book  V.      rhe    History    of   VIRGINIA.  261 

the  Company  to  have  no  Power,  by  Law,  to  command  or      1623. 
controle  them.      For  the   Inhabitants   of  Virginia  were,  by^'^^v^^ 
his  Majefty's  original   Charters  anij  Grants,  declared  to  be^""  ^''^""'^ 
as  free,  as  the  reft   of  his  Majefty's  Subje6ts,  which  inha-     ■'''^''     °' 
bited  the  Realm  of  England^  or  any  other  of  his   Domini- 
ons.    And  befides,  the  particular  Societies,  and  divers  of  the 
private  Brothers  in  England^  and  of  the  Inhabitants  in  Vir- 
ginia^ had  Ships  of  their  own  ;  and  it  was  not  in  the  Power 
of  the  Company,  to  prevent  or  reftrain  them,  from  carry- 
ing their  Goods  to  the  beft  and  moft  promifing  Markets. 

H  E  farther  obferved,  that  Virginia  had,  or  would  pro- 
bably foon  have,  many  Commodities,  as  Salt,  Fifh,  Pipe- 
ftaves,  Caviary,  and  the  like,  which  in  other  Countries 
might  be  vendible  at  an  indifferent  Price,  but  not  in  En- 
gland. Confidering  therefore,  that  within  a  few  Years, 
when  the  Term  granted  in  their  Letters-patent  was  expir- 
ed, the  King  was  to  have  Cuftom  of  all  Merchandife  in 
Virginia  itfelf,  if  thefe  Goods  (hould  pay  a  fecond  Cuftom 
in  England^  and  afterwards  a  third  Cuftom  in  foreign  Parts, 
where  they  were  vended,  there  could  be  no  Doubt,  but 
that  thefe  th,ree  Cuftoms,  together  with  the  Freight  of  fuch 
cheap  and  bulky  Kinds  of  Merchandife,  and  the  other  con- 
tingent Charges,  would  fo  feed  upon  the  Commodity,  as  to 
leave  little  or  nothing,  for  the  Suftenance  and  Profit  of  the 
Adventurer  and  Planter. 

However,  he  faid,  as  the  Virginians  had  been  driven, 
by  the  Rigor  of  former  Contractors  with  the  Crown,  to  feelc 
foreign  Markets  for  their  Commodities,  fo  he  doubted  not, 
but  by  gentle  Ufage  and  good  Treatment,  they  would  be 
eafily  induced  to  return  back  to  England.,  their  beft  and  moft 
natural  Market.  But  as  for  what  had  been  alledged  by  a 
very  honourable  Perfon,  that  the  SpaniJJo  Colonies  brought 
all  their  Merchandifes  into  Spain,  and  to  no  other  Place,  he 
faid,  there  was  a  very  evident  and  important  Difference  be- 
tween the  Cafe  of  the  Spani/h  Colonies  and  the  Englijl). 
For  the  State  of  Spain  fuft'ered  no  other  Commodities  of  the 
fame  Kind,  to  be  brought  into  that  Kingdom,  which  was 
an  exceeding  great  Encouragement  and  Benefit  to  their  y/- 
merican  Plantations  ;  whereas  in  England.,  the  Commodity, 
which  could  be  eafily  and  abundantly  fupplied  from  our  own 
Colonies,  was  not  only  permitted,  but  even  ftriilly  enjoined, 
and  fternly  commanded,  to  be  imported  from  a  foreign 
Country.  But  if  his  Majefty  would  afford  them  the  fame 
Privilege  and  Favour,  that  the  King  of  Spain  did  to  his  Co- 
lonies, and  would  prohibit  the  Importation  of  all  Commo- 
dities from  foreign  Parts,  that  could  be  furniftied  by  our 
own   Plantations,   there  would    doubtlefs  be   all    ready  and 

joyful 


rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

joyful  Obedience  yielded  to  this  Command,  of  bringing  all 
their  Commodities  into  England.  But  without  fuch  a  Qua- 
Sir  Francis  Jification  and  Privilege,  he  declared  it  to  be  his  Opinion, 
wrTor  ^°'  that  this  was  a  Propofition  extremely  oppreflive  and  hurtful 
to  the  Colonies,  and  muft  foon  bring  them  to  utter  Ruin 
and  Deftruilion. 

This  clear  and  pathetic  Account  of  the  Cafe  was  re- 
ceived with  the  general  Applaufe  and  Approbation  of  the 
Company ;  and  Mr.  Rider  added,  that  there  feemed  to 
him  to  be  another  material  Difference,  between  the  Spa- 
nijh  and  Englijh  Plantations.  For  the  Spanijh  Colonies 
were  founded  by  the  Kings  of  Spain^  out  of  their  own 
Treafury  and  Revenues,  and  they  maintained  the  Garrifons 
there,  together  with  a  large  Navy,  for  their  Ufe  and  De- 
fence ;  whereas  the  Englijh  Plantations  had  been  at  firft  fet- 
tled, and  fince  fupported,  at  the  Charge  of  private  Adven- 
turers ;  unlefs  it  might  be  excepted,  that  his  Majefty,  out 
of  his  great  Grace  and  Favour,  had  granted  them  fome 
Lotteries  and  Colleilions,  the  Produce  of  which  had  never- 
thelefs  been  expended,  merely  for  the  publick  Service.  To 
which  it  might  have  been  juftly  added,  that  thofe  vaft  Obli- 
gations of  Lotteries  and  Collections  were  very  cheap  to  his 
Majefty,  he  never  having  contributed  one  Farthing  himfelf 
in  them,  altho'  he  was  a  very  great,  and  in  a  manner  the 
only  Gainer  yet,  by  thefe  Settlements.  At  length,  in  or- 
der to  lofe  no  Time,  Sir  Edivin  Sandys  and  Mr.  Chrijiopher 
Brooke  were  defired,  to  take  both  the  Reafons,  which  had 
been  formerly  prefented  to  their  Lordfhips  by  the  Compa- 
ny, together  with  fuch  new  ones,  as  had  been  now  al- 
ledged,  and  to  draw  up  a  brief  Anfwer  to  this  Order  of  the 
Privy  Council.  And  whereas  the  Matter  was  already  fo 
well  prepared  and  digefted  to  their  Hands,  it  was  thought, 
they  might  eafily  do  it,  during  the  fitting  of  the  Court. 
Whereupon  they  withdrew,  and  foon  returned  with  an 
Anfwer,  containing  much  the  fame  in  Purport  with  that, 
prefented  to  their  Lordfhips,  about  a  Year  and  a  Half  before, 
by  Mr.  yohn  Farrar^  then  Deputy-Treafurer  of  the  Virgi- 
nia Company.  This  Draught,  being  deliberately  read  in 
the  Court,  was  ratified  and  approved  by  the  Company  j 
and  Lord  Cavendijh^  Lord  Paget.,  and  Sir  Edivard  Sackvil 
were  entreated,  to  deliver  it  to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy 
Council,  in  the  Company's  Name. 

But  this  Stifnefs  and  Refolution  of  the  Company  did, 
by  no  means,  turn  their  Lordfhips  from  their  Purpofe. 
For  I  find,  by  another  Order  of  the  Privy  Council,  dated 
the  28th  of  Jpril  this  Year,  that  they  ftill  ftrenuoufly  in- 
filled on,  and   fIriClly  enjoined   them,  to  import    all  their 

Com- 


Book  V.     rhe   History    of   VIRGINIA.  263 

Commodities  into  England.  But  as  fome  Alleviation  and  ^623. 
Encouragement,  the  King,  in  the  fame  Order  of  Council,  ^^"^v^-^ 
declares  ;  that,  inftead  of  the  twelve  Pence,  formerly  an-  ^'^  Francis 
fwered  to  his  Majefty,  he  would,  for  the  future,  be  con-ygj^^^J. 
tent  with  nine  Pence  a  Pound  on  Tobacco  (the  Cuftomers 
having  abated  three  Pence  a  Pound  Cuftom)  and  that  all 
Tobacco,  then  lately  imported  into  England^  fliould  be 
delivered  to  the  Proprietors,  on  paying  that  nine  Pence  on- 
ly. And  for  the  Information  of  the  People  in  Firginia^ 
that  they  might  know,  how  to  comport  themfelves  herein, 
this  Order  was  tranfmitted  hither,  and  is  ftill  extant  among 
the  Records  of  our  Council.  At  the  fame  time,  the  Lords 
of  the  Privy  Council  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Governor  and 
Council  here  ;  informing  them,  of  his  Majefty's  gracious 
Intentions,  towards  the  Colony  ;  and  commanding  them, 
not  to  be  difcouraged  by  any  loofe  Advertifements,  pro- 
ceeding from  Fa61:ion,  Malice,  or  private  Ends.  But  they 
ftreightly  charged  and  required  them,  in  his  Majefty's 
Name,  to  live  together,  in  that  Concord,  Unity,  and  joint 
Care  of  the  common  Good  of  the  Plantation,  as  became 
the  Undertakers  of  fuch  an  Action,  the  Subjeifs  of  fuch  a 
King,  and  the  Profeflbrs  of  fuch  a  Religion.  They  told 
them  alfo,  that  they  were  informed  by  fome,  who  had  late- 
ly been  Eye-witnefles,  that  their  Fortifications,  Houfes  of 
Habitation,  and  Provifion  of  Vi6lual,  were  not  cared  for 
in  fuch  fort,  as  they  ought  to  be  ;  which  was  highly  dif- 
pleafing  to  his  Majefty.  And  therefore  they  required  them, 
to  be  more  careful  hereafter,  as  well  for  themfelves,  as  for 
the  publick  Weal  and  Subfiftence  of  the  Colony. 

But  the  Contrail  being  diflblved,  and  the  Benefit  of 
fole  Importation  taken  from  the  Company,  the  IVarwickian 
Fadiion  themfelves  were  foon  alarmed,  at  the  Apprehen- 
fion  of  a  general  and  unlimited  Importation  of  Tobacco. 
Wherefore  Sir  Nathaniel  Rich  propofed  to  the  Company, 
their  entering  into  a  new  Treaty  with  his  Majefty,  for  the 
fole  Importation,  and  for  farming  the  forty  thoufand  Weight 
of  Spanijh  Tobacco  ;  which  he  gave  them  to  underftand, 
from  fome  Speech,  he  had  lately  had  with  the  Lord  Trea- 
furer,  there  were  great  Hopes  of  obtaining.  But  his  Pro- 
pofition  was  flighted  and  rejected,  as  a  Scheme,  which  had 
lately  been  rendered  abortive,  by  himfelf  and  his  Fa£lion  ; 
and  as  it  would  be  necelTarily  produ6five  of  thofe  Salaries 
and  Expences,  which  they  had  fo  loudly  exclaimed  againft. 
But  foon  after,  the  fame  Gentleman  informed  the  Com- 
pany, that  there  was  like  to  be  a  free  Importation  of  all 
Sorts  of  foreign  Tobacco,  without  Stint  or  Limitation  } 
and  that  there  was  a  Proclamation  ftiortly  to  come  forth, 
3T  T  to 


264  '^^"'^   History  'of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     to  that  Purpofe.     This  was   a  thing  before  not  fufpected  or 

' V ^  imagined;  and   it    was   unanimoufly  judged,    to    be   utterly 

Sir  ^w;w  jef^f-ujC^iye  of  the  Colonies.  For  as  the  meaneft  Tobaccoes 
Sor.^°'"^'g^'  be  bought  in  Spain^  for  fix  Pence  a  Pound,  the  Price 
of  the  Plantation  Tobacco,  after  the  Difcharge  of  Freight, 
Cuftom,  Impoft,  and  other  Charges,  would  be  reduced  to 
little  or  nothing.  The  Company  therefore  unanimoufly 
entered  upon  feveral  Schemes  and  Meafures,  to  prevent  fo 
unfortunate  an  Event  ;  all  which  at  laft  ended,  in  a  bare 
Promife  from  the  Lord  Treafurer  (and  the  Court  Promifes 
of  that  Time  were  not  greatly  to  be  depended  upon)  that 
forty  thoufand  Weight  of  Spanijh  Tobacco  only,  fhould  be 
imported  into  England. 

Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Accounts  remained  ftill  unfettled, 
and  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  was  among  the  freeft  in  his  Cen- 
fures  and  Complaints  of  this  Matter.  About  this  time. 
Sir  Thomas  Smith.,  cafually  meeting  him,  complained  and 
exprefled  much  Concern,  that  he  fhould  publickly,  and  in 
divers  Places,  fay,  that  Sir  Thomas  was  indebted  to  the 
Company.,  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  was  a  young  Nobleman  of 
a  frank  and  generous  Nature.  He  fpoke  freely,  whatever 
he  thought,  and  was  not  at  all  of  a  Turn  to  deny,  what 
he  had  once  faid.  He  therefore  confefled  it  to  be  true,  and 
gave  his  Reafons  for  it.  Whereupon  Sir  Thomas  S?nith  fo- 
lemnly  protefted  his  Clearnefs  and  Integrity,  and  as  a  Proof 
of  it,  aflced  Sir  Ediuard  Sackvil ;  If  he  was  fo  much  in  the 
Company's  Debt,  why  they  did  not,  efpecially  in  this  their 
Time  of  Want  and  Neceflity,  fue  and  recover  it  ?  For  he 
was  undoubted  folvent,  and  able  to  make  them  full  Satif- 
fadlion.  But,  he  faid,  it  was  fo  far  from  this,  that  he  had 
been  now,  for  the  Space  of  three  Years,  in  vain  impor- 
tuning and  folliciting  an  Audit  of  his  Accounts,  and  had, 
for  that  End,  delivered  in  all  his  Books  to  the  Company. 
This  was  alfo  confirmed  by  Sir  Hurnphrey  Handford.,  then 
Sherif  of  London.,  and  one  Mr.  Jbdy.,  a  rich  Merchant ; 
who  told  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  further,  that  they  had  for- 
merly, by  the  Company's  Appointment,  examined  Sir 
Thomas  Smith's  Accounts,  and  found  the  Ballance  five  hun- 
dred and  odd  Pounds  in  his  Favour,  which  they  had  ac- 
cordingly witneffed  under  their  Hands,  and  delivered  in  to 
the  Court.  As  to  this  Aflertion  of  thefe  two  Gentlemen, 
I  find,  at  a  Court  held  May  12,  1619,  on  the  Motion  of 
Sir  Thomas  Smith.,  Mr.  Maurice  Abbot.,  Mr.  Humphrey 
Handford.,  and  Mr.  Anthony  Abdy  were  admitted  to  be 
prefent  at  the  auditing  the  Account,  to  fee,  that  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith  received  no  Wrong.  But  it  was  alfo  ordered, 
that  three  of  the  old  Auditors,  viT..  Sir  Edwin   Sandys.,  then 

Trea- 


Book  V.      "The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

Treafurer,  Sir  yohn  Davers^  and  Mr.  yohn  Wroth  fhould 
be  of  the  ^uorum^  and  that  nothing  fliould  be  concluded, 
without  the  Confent  of  two  of  them  at  the  leaft.  And  ^'''  ^''^"'^'^ 
foon  after,  at  a  Quarter  Court,  Mr.  Abhot  and  thofe  two  ^J^^^^ 
Gentlemen,  together  with  Mr.  Thomas  Keightly  for  the 
Company,  were  admitted  extraordinarily  into  the  Number 
of  legal  Auditors.  But  that  the  Accounts  had  ever  been 
fully  audited  and  pafl'ed  by  them,  is  plainly  falfe,  by  the 
whole  Courfe  and  Tenor  of  the  Company's  Records.  And 
if  thefe  Gentlemen,  who  were  only  Auditors  ex  parte^  on 
Sir  Thomas  Smith'?,  Behalf,  did  give  in  any  Paper  to  the 
Court,  relating  to  the  full  Settlement  and  Ballance  of  thofe 
Accounts,  it  could  never  furely,  either  in  Law  or  Reafon, 
be  received  as  authentic  and  definitive.  But  Sir  Edward 
Sackvil  being  unacquaii'ited  with  the  Proceedings  of  thofe 
Times,  Sir  Thomas  Smith  befought  him,  that  his  Accounts 
might  be  pafl'ed  ;  and  that  he  might  be  no  farther  molefted 
upon  that  Head,  but  permitted  to  go  in  Peace  to  his  Grave, 
being  already  far  ftricken  in  Years,  and  fufficiently  afflicted 
with  the  many  Infirmities,  incident  to  old  Age.  But  he 
declared,  that  none  of  thofe  Pains  and  Afflictions  were 
comparable  to  the  Grief  and  Anguifh  of  Mind,  which  he 
received  from  thefe  injurious  Attacks  on  his  Good-name 
and  Reputation  ;  efpecially  as  they  proceeded  from  Perfons, 
from  whom  he  had  hoped,  by  his  many  Years  Services,  a 
far  different  Ufage  and  Return. 

Sir  Edivard  Sackvil' s,  generous  Nature  was  aff'efted 
with  this  Difcourfe  ;  and  he  very  earneftly  and  warmly 
moved  the  Company,  to  appoint  fome  Perfons,  to  put  an 
immediate  and  effecSiual  End  to  this  Bufinefs.  For,  as  Sir 
Thomas  Smith  had  thus  fairly  put  himfelf  upon  his  Trial,  he 
thought,  that  to  delay  it,  would  hardly  be  juft,  and  to  de- 
ny it  quite,  would  be  an  evident  and  downright  Injuftice. 
Whereupon  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  faid,  that  the  Office  of  Au- 
ditors, as  he  conceived,  was  not  to  make,  but  to  examine 
and  fettle  an  Account  ;  that  the  Accounts,  exhibited  by  Sir 
Thomas  Smithy  had  been  found  by  the  Auditors,  after  great 
Labour  and  Pains  fpent  upon  them,  to  be  fo  diforderly, 
intricate,  and  defective,  that  they  fcarce  merited  the  Name 
of  Accounts  ;  that  he  fpoke  not  this,  to  lay  any  Afperfion 
on  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  further  than  of  Negle6l  (for  it  was 
well  known,  that  he  neither  made,  nor  kept  thofe  Ac- 
counts himfelf)  but  to  clear  the  Auditors  and  the  Compa- 
ny, from  all  Imputation  and  Blame.  For  they  had  often 
declared  their  Exceptions  and  the  Difficulties  of  thofe  Ac- 
counts, as  well  to  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  as  to  the  Company  ; 
and  he  then  had  a  Writing,  which  contained  manv  weighty 

T   2  Ex- 


266  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     Exceptions  againft  them.      However,  altho'  they  feemed  to 

Y 'him  to  be  altogether  bottomlefs  and  unexaminable,  yet  he 

Sir  Franc-fjpromifed,  that  the   Auditors  fhould  proceed  in  them,  with 
vSrJr  ^°'  ^^^  poffible  Expedition. 

Alderman  Johnfon  and  Mr.  EJJtngton  were  now 
likewife  found,  to  be  clearly  indebted  eight  hundred  Pounds 
to  the  Company,  befides  the  old  Magazine  Accounts, 
which  they  kept  fo  dark  and  intricate,  that  the  Auditors 
had  not  yet  been  able,  fully  to  explicate  and  unravel  them. 
And  Sir  Samuel  Argall  (for,  about  this  time,  he  received 
the  Honour  of  Knighthood)  was  ftill  under  Profecution 
from  the  Company,  for  his  Rapines  and  extortionate  Ad- 
miniftration  in  Virginia.  So  that  it  was  evident,  that  thefe 
Gentlemen  could  never  be  fafe  or  fecure,  as  long  as  the 
Company  continued  in  Being  ;  and  it  is  greatly  to  be  fuf- 
pe6led,  that  they,  by  the  Part  they  a6led  in  the  late  Corrj- 
motions,  aimed  not  fo  much  at  the  Diflolution  of  the  Con- 
tract, as  the  Diflolution  of  the  Company.  But  now  the 
Contrail  being  annulled,  and  the  Diflrurbances  fomewhat 
allayed,  they  refolved  to  keep  the  Company  ftill  in  Em- 
ployment, and  not  permit  them  to  enjov  any  long  Leifure 
or  Tranquility.  For  foon  after  the  DiJTolution  of  the  Con- 
trail, Alderman  Johnfon  prefented,  in  a  private  and  con- 
cealed Manner,  a  Writing  to  his  Majefty,  entitled  ;  The 
humble  Petition  of  fun  dry  Adventurers  and  Planters  in  the 
Virgi7iia  and  So?ner- I/lands  Plantations.  The  Subftance  of 
this  was : 

That  among  the  many  memorable  Works  of  his  Ma- 
jefty's  gracious  Reign,  the  Plantations  of  Virginia  and  the 
SoTner-IJJands  were  not  the  leaft  confiderable  :  That  thefe 
were  the  firft  American  Colonies,  attempted  and  brought  to 
EfFe6l,  by  the  Englifi  Nation  :  That  the  Beginning  of  the 
Enterprise  was  attended  with  fo  great  an  Expence,  without 
any  prefent  Hope  of  Retribution,  as  was  fufficient,  at  the 
firft  View  and  Computation,  to  have  difcouraged  the  moft 
forward  and  refolute  Adventurers  :  That  however,  by  the 
Divine  Afliftance  and  his  Majefty's  gracious  Encourage- 
ment, together  with  that  mild  and  difcreet  Government, 
at  firft  fettled  and  appointed  by  his  Majefty,  all  forts  of 
Men  were,  in  fuch  kind  and  friendly  Manner,  invited  and 
induced  to  eng-aae  themfelves  in  it,  that  notwithftanding; 
thofe  many  Difficulties,  that  great  Action,  which  muft 
otherwife  have  perifhed  in  the  Birth,  not  only  took  Life 
and  Being,  but  alfo  proceeded,  for  many  Years,  in  a  moft 
hopeful  and  comfortable  Courfe  :  That  there  was  then 
Unity  and  Love  among  themfelves  at  home,  and  Peace  and 
Quiet  with   the  Savages  abroad  ;  by  which  means,  fundry 

of 


/ 


Book  V.       The    History   of  VIRGINIA.  267 

of  thofe   Infidels,   and  fome   of  eminent  Rank,  were  con-      1623. 

verted   to   the    Chrijlian   Religion,   and    many  Staple    Com-  ^— ^-r^ ' 

modities  began  to  be  raifed  and  imported  into  England  :^^'^  ^'"""^'^ 
That  fuch  were  the  Bleffings,  in  thofe  Times,  upon  their  ^g/'"' ^°' 
juft  and  peaceable  Proceedings  ;  whereas  it  had  come  to 
pafs,  they  knew  not  how,  that  notwithftanding'his  Maje- 
fty's  Subje6ls  had  been,  in  great  Multitudes,  tranfported  to 
the  Plantations,  yet  the  aforefaid  Commodities,  and  the 
other  Fruits  of  the  Enterprife,  had  not  appeared  of  late, 
as  in  former  Times  ;  their  Unity  at  home  was  turned  into 
civil  Difcord  and  DIlTenfion  ;  and  their  Peace  abroad,  into 
Maffacre  and  Hoftility  between  the  Natives  and  the  Colony  ; 
and  that  many  of  the  ancient  Adventurers  and  Planters 
conceived  themfelves,  to  be  many  ways  injured,  abufed, 
and  opprefled  : 

That  fearing,  upon  thefe  Accounts,  without  the  Help 
of  a  fupreme  Hand,  the  utter  Ruin  and  Deftru6tion  of  thofe 
great  and  noble  Undertakings,  and  not  holding  it  fit,  to 
trouble  his  Majefty's  facred  Ears  with  all  particular  Com- 
plaints and  Allegations,  they  humbly  befought  him,  to  no- 
minate and  appoint  fome  worthy  Perfons,  by  Commiflion 
under  the  great  Seal  of  England^  who  by  Oath,  or  other- 
wife,  by  all  lawful  Ways  and  Means,  fhould  enquire  and 
examine  ;  What  was  the  true  State  of  the  Colonies,  at 
the  Time,  when  Sir  Thomas  Smith  left  the  Government  of 
the  Companies  ;  what  Monies  had  fince  been  colle6ted  for 
the  Plantations  ;  by  whom  received,  and  how  the  fame  had 
been  procured  and  expended  ;  and  what,  after  fo  vaft  an 
Expence,  was  the  prefent  State  and  Condition  of  the  Colo- 
nies :  That  the  faid  Commiffioners  fhould  alfo  enquire  into 
all  Grievances  and  Abufes  ;  what  Wrongs  had  been  done 
to  any  of  the  Adventurers  or  Planters,  together  with  the 
Grounds  and  Caufes  thereof;  and  fhould  propofe,  how  the 
fame  might  in  time  to  come,  be  reformed  and  prevented  ; 
and  how  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Colonies  might  be  better  ma- 
naged and  carried  on.  So  that,  all  Contentions  being  re- 
conciled, the  Authors  thereof  condignly  punifhed.  Peace 
and  Unity  reflored,  and  the  Government  of  Affairs  better 
eftablifhed,  thofe  noble  Works  might  go  on  and  profper 
with  a  Blefling  from  Heaven,  to  his  Majefty's  great  Ho- 
nour and  Profit,  and  to  the  religious  and  publick  Ends,  for 
which  they  were  at  firfl:  undertaken. 

About  the  fame  time.  Captain  Nathaniel  Butler^  a 
Creature  of  the  Earl  of  JVarwick's^  who  had  been  fent  to 
pillage  Bermudas^  and  had  fled  thence  to  Virginia^  as  hath 
been  already  mentioned,  was  introduced  to  the  King,  and 
obliged,  as   it  was  pretended,  to  give  his   Majefty  an   Ac- 

T  3  count 


268  'T:he   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

1623.     count  of  the   State  of  the  Colony  in   Virginia.      This    he 

"^ V 'prefented,   under   the    ftarched  and  afFe6i:ed  Title   of,    The 

Sir  Francn  ny^j^^jf^g^  Face   of  OUT    Colony  in  Virginia.^   as   it   was  in  the 
vernor     °'  ^^inter  1 622.       This    contained  the   following  Particulars 
and  Allegations. 

1.  That  he  found  the  Englijh  Plantations  generally 
feated  upon  mere  Marfhes,  full  of  infeftious  Bogs  and  mud- 
dy Creeks  and  Lakes  ;  and  thereby  fubjeil:  to  all  thofe  In- 
conveniencies  and  Difeafes,  which  are  commonly  found  in 
the  moft  unhealthy  Parts  of  England^  whereof  every  Coun- 
try and  Climate  hath  fome. 

2.  That  he  found  the  Shores  and  Sides  of  thofe  Parts 
of  the  main  River,  where  the  Plantations  were  fettled, 
every  where  fo  Ihallow,  that  no  Boat  could  approach  them. 
So  that,  befides  the  Difficulty,  Danger,  and  Spoil  of  Goods 
in  landing,  the  poor  People  were  forced  to  a  continual 
Wetting  and  Wading,  and  that  in  the  Midft  of  Winter, 
when  the  Ships  commonly  arrived  ;  and  that  they  thereby 
got  fuch  violent  Surfeits  of  Cold  upon  Cold,  as  never  left 
them,  till  they  were  brought  to  their  Graves. 

3.  That  the  People,  fent  over,  arriving,  for  the  moft 
part,  very  unfeafonably  in  Winter,  found  neither  Gueft- 
houfe,  Inn,  nor  any  fuch  Place,  to  fhelter  themfelves  from 
the  Weather  ;  no,  not  fo  much  as  a  Stroke  given,  towards 
any  fuch  charitable  and  necelTary  Work.  So  that  many, 
for  want  hereof,  were  not  only  ieen  dying  under  Hedges, 
and  in  the  Woods,  but  being  dead,  lay  fome  of  them  many 
Days,  unregarded  and  unburied. 

4.  That  the  Colony,  that  Winter,  was  in  great  Di- 
ftrefs  for  Provifions,  fo  that  Englijh  Meal  was  fold  for  thir- 
ty, and  their  own  native  Corn,  called  Maize,  for  ten  and 
fifteen  Shillings  a  Bufhel.  But  that,  however  heavy  this 
might  lay  upon  the  poor  People,  there  were  Reafons  to 
fufpe6t,  it  was  not  unaifefted  by  the  Chief  Men.  For  they 
only  having  the  Means,  in  thefe  Extremities,  to  trade  with 
the  Natives,  did  hereby  engrofs  all  into  their  Hands,  and 
fell  it  out  at  their  own  Prices.  To  which  he  added,  that 
he  himfelf  had  heard  from  the  Mouth  of  a  prime  one 
among  them,  that  he  would  never  wifh  their  own  Corn 
cheaper,  than  eight  Shillings  a  Bufliel. 

5.  That  their  Houfes  were  generally  the  worft,  that 
he  had  ever  feen  ;  the  meaneft  Cottages  in  England  being 
every  way  equal,  if  not  fuperior,  to  the  beft  Houfes  in 
Virginia.  And  that  befides,  they  were  feated,  fo  impro- 
vidently,  and  fcatteringly  one  from  another,  as  partly  by 
their  Diftance,  but  efpecially  by  the  Interpofition  of  Creeks 

and 


I 


Book  V.      Tbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.  269 

and  Swamps,  they  offered  all  Advantages  to  the  favage  Ene-     ^623. 

my,  and  were  utterly  deprived  of  the  Means  of  fudden  Re-^ y ' 

collection,  upon  any  emergent  Occafion.  ^"^  Francis 

6.  That  he  found  not  the  leaft  Piece  of  Fortification  :  yj^^l 
That  three  Pieces  of  Ordinance  only  were  mounted  at  'James- 
City^  and   one   at   Flower-de-hundred^  but   not  one  of  them 
ferviceable.      So  that   it  was  certain,  that  a  fmall  Bark  of 

an  hundred  Tons  might  take  it's  Time,  to  pafs  up  the 
River,  and  coming  to  an  Anchor  before  James-Town^  might 
beat  all  their  Houfes  about  their  Ears,  and  fo  forcing  them 
to  retreat  into  the  Woods,  land  under  the  Favour  of  their 
Ordinance,  and  rifle  the  Town  at  Pleafure. 

7.  That  expecting,  according  to  their  printed  Ac- 
counts, to  find  fundry  Commodities  in  great  Forwardnefs, 
he  found  not  any  one  of  them  fo  much  as  in  any  Toward- 
nefs  of  Being.  For  the  Iron-works  were  utterly  wafted, 
and  the  People  dead  ;  the  Glafs  Furnaces  at  a  Stand,  and 
in  fmall  Hopes  of  proceeding  ;  and  as  for  the  reft,  they 
were  had  in  general  Derifion,  even  among  themfelves  ;  and 
the  Pamphlets  concerning  them,  being  fent  thither  by  hun- 
dreds, were  laughed  to  Scorn,  and  every  bafe  Fellow  gave 
them  the  Lye  in  divers  Particulars.  So  that  Tobacco  was 
their  only  Bufinefs,  and  for  ought  he  could  obferve,  every 
Man  madded  upon  that,  and  little  thought  of,  or  looked 
after,  any  thing  elfe. 

8.  That  he  found  the  ancient  Plantations  of  Henrico 
and  Charles-City  quite  deferted,  and  abandoned  to  the  Spoil 
of  the  Indians  ;  who  not  only  burnt  the  Houfes  (faid  to  be 
once  the  beft  in  the  Country)  but  fell  upon  their  Stocks  of 
all  Kinds,  and  killed  and  deftroyed  them,  to  the  great 
Grief,  as  well  as  utter  Ruin  of  the  old  Inhabitants  ;  who 
ftuck  not  to  affirm,  that  thefe  were  not  only  the  beft  and 
moft  healthy  Parts  of  the  Country,  but  might  alfo,  by 
their  natural  Strength  of  Situation,  have  been  the  moft  ea- 
fily  preferved  of  all  others. 

9.  That  whereas,  according  to  his  Majefty's  gracious 
Letters-patent,  his  People  in  Virginia  were  to  be  governed, 
as  near  as  poffibly  could  be,  according  to  the  excellent 
Laws  and  Cuftoms  of  England^  he  found,  not  only  igno- 
rant and  forced  Errors  in  divers  Particulars,  but  alfo  wilful 
and  defigned  Deviations  from  Law.  Infomuch  that  fome 
Perfons,  who  urged  due  Conformity  to  his  Majefty's  gra- 
cious Intentions,  were  termed,  in  Contempt,  Men  of  the 
Laiv^  and  were  even  excluded  from  thofe  Rights,  which 
they  were  elected  and  fworn  unto  in  England. 

10.  That  there  having  been,  as  it  was  thought,  ten 
thoufand   Souls  tranfported  to   Virginia.,  there  were  not,  at 

T  4  that 


270  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

1623.     that  prefent,  through   the   aforefaid    Abufes   and    Negle6ls, 

^—^ 'above  two  Thoufand   of  them   to  be  found,  and  many  of 

Sir  Francis [Y^Q^Q  ^jf^^  \^  ^  j^^fl-  fjckly  and  defpcrate  State.  So  that  it 
vemor  °"iTiight  be  undoubtedly  expe6led,  unlefs  the  Confufions  and 
private  Ends  of  fome  of  the  Company  in  England^  and  the 
bad  Execution  of  their  Agents  in  Virginia^  were  fpeedily 
redrefled,  by  a  divine  and  fupreme  Hand,  inflead  of  a  Plan- 
tation, it  would  fhortly  get  the  Name  of  a  Slaughter-houfe, 
and  fo  juftly  become  odious  to  themfelves,  and  contempti- 
ble to  all  the  World. 

The  End  and  Defign  of  thefe  Reprefentations,  together 
with  their  Falfhood  and  Unjuftnefs  in  the  main,  will  be 
eafily  feen  from  the  foregoing  Narration.  But  however 
flily  and  covertly  they  were  prefented  to  the  King,  the 
Knowledge  of  them  could  not  be  long  kept  from  the  Com- 
pany. For  the  Lord  Cavendijlj  and  Sir  Edivard  Sackvtl 
were  foon  advertifed,  by  their  Friends  at  Court,  of  Alder- 
man 'Johnfon's  Petition  ;  and  they  had  an  extraordinary 
Court  of  the  Company  immediately  warned,  in  order  to 
enter  upon  fome  prefent  Courfe,  to  prevent  it's  making  any 
finifter  ImpreiTions  upon  his  Majefty's  Breaft.  This  Court 
fent  fome  of  their  Body  to  defire  Alderman  yohnfon,  either 
to  bring,  or  fend  them,  a  Copy  of  the  Petition,  he  had 
lately  prefented  to  his  Majefty.  But  he  faid,  he  had  nei- 
ther himfelf  a  Copy,  nor  knew  of  any  Perfon  that  kept 
a  Copy  of  it.  However  he  afTured  them,  that  the  Petition 
was  no  ways  againft  the  Company.  This  was  likewife  af- 
firmed by  fome,  then  prefent  in  Court,  who  had  been  at 
the  Delivery  of  the  Petition.  They  alfo  profeffed  them- 
felves, to  be  as  ftudious  of  the  Good  of  the  Plantation  and 
of  the  Company,  as  any  other  whatfoever  ;  and  therefore 
defired  the  Company,  not  to  intermeddle  or  engage  them- 
felves in  the  Matter,  before  they  had  feen  the  Petition. 
But  this  not  fatisfving  the  Court,  they  were  defired  to  de- 
clare, what  was  the  Subjeft  of  their  Complaint,  and  againft 
what  Perfons.  For  Lord  Cavendijh  faid,  if  they  did  not 
find  themfelves  aggrieved  with  the  Company,  they  ought 
not  to  have  complained  to  his  Majefty  at  all,  'till  they  had 
firft  made  known  their  Grievances  to  the  Court,  and  feen, 
what  Remedy  would  have  been  by  them  applied.  At 
length.  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  faid,  that  altho'  Alderman 
'Johnfon  and  his  Accomplices  would  give  them  no  Light 
into  the  Affair,  yet  himfelf,  and  fome  others  in  Court, 
could  fully  and  certainly  inform  the  Company,  what  was 
the  Subftance  of  that  Petition.  Whereupon  he  gave  them 
a    ftiort  and   exa6l   Account  of  it's  Purport  and   Aim,  and 

declared 


Book  V.       r/:?^   History  ^/VIRGINIA. 

declared  it  to  be  true,  upon  his  own  certain  Knowledge  ; 
which  was  likewife  confirmed  by  the  Lord  Cavendifh.  The' 
Court  was  in  no  Doubt  or  Hefitation  about  the  Matter,  but  ^^/^'^ '''if" 
clearly  judged  it,  to  be  dire61:ly  againft  the  Company;  "^"^^  ^leilo^. 
accordingly  refolved,  to  juftify  their  Conduft.  But  as  to 
the  Iflue  of  the  Alderman's  Petition,  they  readily  joined  in 
it,  and  ordered  a  Petition  to  be  prefented  in  the  Company's 
Name,  to  befeech  his  Majefty,  that  the  Examination  of 
thefe  things  might  be  referred  to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy 
Council ;  that  fo  their  Innocency,  or  their  Guiltinefs,  might 
be  either  cleared,  or  punifhed.  And  in  the  mean  time,  to 
prevent  all  Prepofleffion  againft  them,  they  ordered  a  De- 
claration of  the  prefent  State  of  Virginia^  comparatively 
with  it's  former  State  under  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  which  had, 
by  the  Earl  of  South a7Vffton\  Order,  been  drawn  up  by  a 
Committee  of  the  Council,  about  the  Chriftmas  before,  to 
be  now  read  in  the  Court,  and  being,  with  fome  fmall  Al- 
terations, confirmed,  to  be  delivered  to  his  Majefty,  as  the 
Company's  A61.     This  Declaration  fet  forth  : 

That  in  December^  1618,  being  the  twelfth  Year  from 
the  firft  Settlement  of  the  Colony,  after  fourfcore  thoufand 
Pounds  Expence,  and  upwards,  of  the  publick  Stock,  be- 
fides  other  Sums  of  private  Planters  and  Adventurers,  there 
were  remaining  in  Virginia  about  fix  hundred  Perfons, 
Men,  Women,  and  Children,  and  of  Cattle  about  three 
hundred  at  the  moft  ;  and  that  the  Company  was  then  left 
in  Debt  near  five  thoufand  Pounds:  But  that  then  [Chriji- 
mas  1622)  through  the  Divine  BleiTing,  notwithftanding  the 
late  Mortalities  in  all  thofe  Parts  of  Ainerica^  and  notwith- 
ftanding the  Maflacre,  and  the  great  Mortality,  confequent 
thereon,  by  the  People's  being  driven  from  their  Habitations 
and  Provifions,  there  were  ftill  remaining  (as  was  compu- 
ted) above  five  and  twenty  hundred  Perfons,  fent  over  at 
the  Expence  only  of  thirty  thoufand  Pounds  of  the  publick 
Stock,  befides  the  Charges  of  particular  Societies  and  Plan- 
ters ;  that  the  Cattle  were  alfo  encreafed  to  above  a  thoufand 
Head,  befides  Goats,  and  infinite  Numbers  of  Swine  5  and 
that  the  old  Debt,  left  on  the  Company  by  Sir  Thomas  Smithy 
was  wholly  difcharged  : 

That  at  the  faid  Time,  December^  16 18,  the  only 
Commodities  of  Value,  returned  from  Virginia^  were  To- 
bacco and  Saflafras  ;  whereas,  during  the  four  laft  Years, 
great  Sums  had  been  expended,  and  infinite  Care  and  Di- 
ligence beftowed,  by  the  Officers  and  Company,  for  fetting 
forward  various  Commodities  and  Manufaftures  ;  as  Iron- 
Works,  Wine,  Silk,  Sawing- Mills,  Salt-Pans,  and  other 
things  of  the  like  Nature ;  And  that  they  had  been  particu- 
^^  larly 


272  i:he   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

1623.     larly  careful,  according  to  his   Majefty's   Advice  and   Di- 
' — -~v 'rediions,  to  reftrain  the  Colony  from  their  too  eager  Pur- 
Sir  Franai^^ij.  q£  Tobacco,  as  did  abundantly  appear,  from  their  fre- 
vem''o'r'    °' qucnt   Letters,    Inftru6lions,  and  Charters   to   that    EfFe6l, 
with  fundry  printed  Books  and  Pamphlets,  made  purpofely 
and  publifhed  for  their  Ufe  and  Diredion  : 

That  as  to  the  Government,  it  had  been,  within  the 
four  laft  Years,  reformed  according  to  his  Majefty's  original 
Dire6lions,  in  the  Letters-patent ;  and  the  People  were  no 
longer  difcontented  and  mutinous,  but  now  lived  in  great 
Peace  and  Tranquility  :  And  to  the  End,  that  Perfons  of 
Worth  might  be  allured  to  the  Places  of  Power  and  Profit, 
and  all  Occafion  of  Rapine  and  Extortion  removed,  they 
had  raifed  a  competent  annual  Provifion  and  Revenue,  for 
the  Governor,  and  all  other  Officers  and  Magiftrates,  and 
particularly  for  the  Clergy,  according  to  the  Degree  and 
Quality  of  each  Place  : 

That  thefe  their  Cares  were,  by  no  means,  loft  or  in- 
efFe61:ual ;  but  as  they  had  fettled  the  Colony  in  perfe£l  Quiet 
and  Content,  fo  they  had  raifed  at  home  fo  great  a  Fame  of 
Virginia^  that  Men  now,  not  only  out  of  Neceffity,  as  at 
firft,  but  many  Perfons  of  good  Quality  and  Fortune  had, 
out  of  Choice,  removed  themfelves  thither,  and  were  daily 
providing  to  remove  : 

That  there  had  been  granted,  in  the  laft  four  Years, 

forty  four  Patents  for  Land,  for  each  of  which  the  Patentees 

had  undertaken  to  tranfport  one  hundred  Men  at  the  leaft  ; 

^  whereas,  in  the  former  twelve  Years,  there  had  not  been 

granted  above  fix  ; 

That,  in  the  faid  time,  there  had  been  employed  forty 
two  Ships,  moft  of  great  Burthen  (whereof  feventeen  Sail 
were,  about  Chrijiinas  laft,  in  'James  River  at  once)  where- 
as, in  four  Years  before,  there  were  not  above  twelve  em- 
ployed : 

That,  in  the  faid  four  laft  Years,  there  had  come  in 
ten  times  the  Number  of  Adventurers,  as  had  done  in  twice 
the  time  before  :  So  that,  whereas  before  the  legal  Number 
of  twenty  could  fcarce  be  got  together,  to  make  a  Quarter 
Court,  it  feldom  now  confifted  of  lefs  than  two  hundred, 
and  fometimes  of  many  more : 

That  they  could  not  omit  the  extraordinary  Bleffing 
of  God,  in  exciting  the  Hearts  of  many  zealous  and  devout 
Perfons,  to  extend  their  Aid  towards  this  glorious  Work, 
who  had  contributed,  within  the  four  laft  Years,  to  the 
Value  of  fifteen  hundred  Pounds,  for  pious  and  religious  U- 
fes  ;  a  Fruit,  whereof  the  preceeding  Years  were  altogether 
barren : 

That 


Book.  V.    i:he   History   of   VIRGINIA. 

That  however  it  could  not  be  denied,  but  that  the 
Encreafe  and  Profperity  of  the  Colony  had  lately  received 
a  fatal  Blow  and  Interruption,  by  the  Indian  Maflacre  ;  ^nA^"  ^''"^'^ 
their  Peace  and  Unity  at  home  had  been  much  broken  and  ^g/nor. 
difturbed,  by  divers  troublefome  Oppofitions.  But  the  one, 
they  hoped,  would  foon  be  fharply  punifhed  and  revenged  ; 
and  the  other  muft,  with  Patience  be  borne,  and  overcome 
with  Conftancy. 

And  laftly,  they  concluded  with  befeeching  his  Majefty 
(as  being  the  firft  Founder,  and  gracious  Supporter  of  this 
great  Enterprife,  which  would  continue  to  all  Pofterity  a 
conftant  Monument  of  his  glorious  Name)  to  grant  them  the 
four  hundred  young  Men,  long  fince  promifed  to  be  levied 
on  the  feveral  Counties,  in  order  to  be  fent  to  Virginia.^  to 
root  out  the  barbarous  -Enemy,  and  to  fupply  the  Colony, 
in  Parts  yet  defective  and  unfettled  ;  and  they  doubted  not, 
in  a  {hort  time  to  be  able,  to  yield  him  fo  good  and  fo  real 
an  Account  of  the  Fruit  of  their  Cares  and  Labours,  as 
might,  in  fome  fort,  be  anfwerable  to  their  Duty,  and  to 
his  Majefty's  princely  Expectation. 

Besides  this  Declaration,  the  Lord  Cavendijh  produced 
another  Writing,  containing  a  Vindication  of  the  late  Con- 
du6l  of  the  Virginia  and  Somer-IJlands  Companies.  His 
Lordfhip  had  drawn  this  up  himfelf,  for  the  SatisfaClion  of 
fome  very  noble  Perfons,  who  had,  from  finifter  Informa- 
tions, conceived  a  hard  Opinion  of  the  Companies  Proceed- 
ings ;  and  as,  he  faid,  thofe  Noblemen,  upon  reading  that 
Difcourfe,  were  fully  fatisfied  of  the  Juftice  and  Fairnefs  of 
their  A6lions,  fo  he  hoped,  it  might  work  the  like  Effe6l 
upon  his  Majefty's  Mind.  Whereupon  that  Writing  was 
deliberately  read,  and  every  Article  and  Branch  thereof, 
being  duly  weighed  and  confidered,  was  feverally  put  to  the 
Queftion,  and  it  was  ordered  to  be  delivered  to  his  Majefty, 
as  the  Company's  A61  and  Anfwer  ;  there  being  not  above 
three  Voices  againft  any  Part  thereof,  and  moft  of  them  be- 
ing confirmed  and  approved,  by  an  unanimous  Confent. 
This  long  Difcourfe  contained  three  different  Heads  :  Firft, 
Anfwers  to  the  feveral  Obje<Elions  againft  the  Company's 
Proceedings  :  Secondly,  the  true  Caufes  of  the  late  Difa- 
greement  and  Difturbances  :  And  thirdly,  it  propofed  Re- 
medies, for  preventing  the  like  Inconveniencies  and  Fa6lions 
for  the  future. 

I  am  fenfible,  that  the  long  Detail  of  Declarations  and 
Anfwers,  is  a  moft  tedious  and  unpleafant  Part  of  Hiftory 
to  the  common  Reader  ;  and  I  have  obferved,  that  fuch 
Pieces,  even  in  the  Hands  of  our  beft  Writers,  and  howe- 
ver neceflary  to  clear  up  Points  of  Hiftory,  have  neverthe- 

lefs 


274  rZv  History  (?/  VIRGINIA.  Book  V. 
1623.  lefs  been  much  diftafted  by  feveral  Perfons.  But  as  thefe 
': '  publick  Papers  contain  the  moft  authentic  Reafon  and  Ac- 
Sir  ^'■'2"'^"  count  of  things,  and  as  they  are  the  fureft  and  moft  indu- 
vemo'r.  °'  Citable  Materials,  for  an  Hiftorian  to  proceed  upon,  I  fhall 
not  be  turned  from  my  Courfe,  by  the  accidental  Diflike  of 
fome  Readers.  For  the  Diffolution  of  the  Company  now 
draws  on,  and  I  intend  to  give  a  full  View  of  the  Motives 
and  Proceedings  in  that  Affair  ;  which  can  be  from  nothing 
drawn  fo  well,  as  from  the  publick  A6ls  and  Writings  of 
both  Parties,  and  their  outward  Pretences  at  leaft,  and  dif- 
ferent Allegations.  However,  I  efteem  it  my  Part  and  Du- 
ty, to  fave  the  Reader  from  all  unneceflary  Forms  and  Re- 
petitions ;  and  to  give  him  the  Subftance  of  thofe  original 
Ads  and  Records,  in  the  fhorteft  Manner  I  poffibly  can, 
without  injuring  or  obfcuring  their  main  Senfe  and  material 
Points.  As  for  this  Difcourfe  therefore,  now  prefented  by 
Lord  Cavendijh^  and  adopted  by  the  Company,  it  fet  forth  : 
That  it  was  manifeft,  his  Majefty's  Ears  had  been  abufed 
by  divers  Mifinformations,  to  which  they  held  it  their  Duty 
to  give  a  true  and  juftifiable  Anfwer. 

I.  It  was  objeiled,  that  fome  few  of  the  Company  led 
and  overfwayed  the  reft  ;  and  that,  in  the  particular  Bufi- 
nefs  of  the  Contract,  thefe  Perfons,  aiming  at  their  own 
private  Advantage,  efpecially  in  the  Point  of  Salaries,  had 
therefore  perfuaded  and  mifled  the  Court. 

To  this  it  was  anfwered  ;  that  it  was  true,  fome  parti- 
cular Perfons,  with  great  Labour  and  Pains,  and  without 
any  Hope  or  Profpe6l  of  Reward,  had  employed  much  of 
their  Time  and  Endeavours,  in  ftudying,  what  might  tend 
to  the  Good  and  Benefit  of  the  Colonies  ;  and  this  only  with 
the  View,  to  propofe  and  communicate  to  the  Courts  their 
faithful  and  impartial  Advice  ;  which  was  the  Duty,  and 
in  the  Power,  of  every  Member  of  thofe  Societies,  to  do. 
But  that  this  honeft  Diligence,  and  thefe  clear  and  difin- 
terefted  Views,  fhould  be  interpreted  an  enflaving  or  mif- 
leading  the  Courts,  was,  in  their  Opinion,  a  moft  unjuft 
Cenfure,  and  a  hard  Requital  to  thofe  Perfons,  who,  for 
the  publick  Good,  had  beftowed  fo  much  of  their  Time, 
and  negle6led  many  Opportunities  of  private  Gain. 

And  as  to  the  Suppofition,  that  thefe  Men,  in  Refpe6t 
of  the  Salaries,  had  miiguided  the  Courts  in  the  Cafe  of  the 
Contrail,  they  made  his  Majefty  a  clear  and  faithful  Nar- 
rative of  their  Proceedings  in  that  Bufinefs  ;  much  the  fame 
in  Effed  as  I  have  already  related  it.  And  they  declared, 
that  the  Gentlemen,  elected  to  the  two  great  Salaries,  a- 
gainft  which  the  opponent  Faction  chiefly  exclaimed,  did, 
at  fundry  times,  both  in  publick  and  private,  ufe  all  pofli- 

ble 


Book  V.     "The   History    of   VIRGINIA.  275 

ble  Endeavour  and  Induftry,  to  keep  themfelves  from  being     1623. 

chofen  :   But  that  the  Company's  Experience  of  their  Faith-' v 

fulnefs  and   Ability,  had   caufed  them  to  be  elefted,  and  in  ^'''  P''''"''' 
a  manner  forced  to  thofe  Employments,  ag-ainft  their  Wills  :     -*'''' 
And  that  they  had  fince,  in  feveral   Courts,  as   much  as  in 
them   lay,  furrendered  their  Offices  ;  but  their   Refignation 
would  never  be  received  or  admitted  by  the  Company. 

2.  It  was  obie6led,  that  the  Courts  were  overawed,  efpe- 
cially  in  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Contrail. 

To  which  it  was  replied,  that  it  was  a  ftrange  Boldnefs 
in  any,  efpecially  in  any  of  the  Company,  who  knew  their 
Proceedings  therein,  to  affirm  a  thing  fo  manifeftly  falfe 
and  groundlefs  ;  which  the  Company  were  fo  perfectly  con- 
vinced of,  that  this  was  one  of  the  principal  Caufes,  why 
Mr.  Wrote^  who  firft.Jaroached  that  Slander,  was  cenfured 
and  fufpended.  And  they  told  his  Majefty,  that  this  Point 
had  been  put  to  the  Vote,  often  and  in  different  Courts, 
when  different  Perfons  were  prefent,  and  it  had  always  been 
unanimoully  adjudged  a  falfe  and  fcandalous  Imputation. 

3.  It  was  alledged,  that  thefe  Perfons,  when  they  could 
not  carry  Matters  by  Plurality  of  Voices,  fpun  out  the 
Courts  'till  eleven  o'Clock  at  Night  ;  by  which  Means, 
thofe,  who  would  have  oppofed  their  Schemes,  being  over- 
wearied with  fo  long  fitting,  departed. 

They  owned,  that  the  Day,  here  meant,  the  Courts 
fat  'till  about  ten  o'Clock.  But  they  gave  his  Majefty  the 
Reafons  of  it  :  That  many  long  Courts  were  to  be  read  and 
examined;  that  Mr.  Wrote's  Affair  took  up  much  Time; 
and  that  they  were  afterwards  obliged,  to  enter  upon  feve- 
ral Points  relating  to  the  Contrail,  which  muft  be  then  de- 
termined, or  elfe  deferred  for  above  three  Months,  till  the 
next  Quarter  Court ;  and  that  this  would  have  been  much 
to  the  Prejudice  of  that  Bufinefs,  as  they  daily  expe6led  the 
Arrival  of  a  great  Quantity  of  Tobacco.  But  as  to  what 
was  chiefly  infinuated  by  this  Objeilion,  thev  declared  it  to 
be  utterly  falfe.  For  altho'  fome  perhaps  departed  before 
the  Rifing  of  the  Court,  yet  not  one  of  the  opponent  Party 
went  away  ;  and  at  the  very  laft,  when  the  Qiieftion  was 
put,  there  were,  befides  divers  Noblemen  and  Knights,  a- 
bout  an  hundred  Perfons  in  the  Court. 

4.  It  was  alledged,  that  whilft  the  Contrail  was  in  Agi- 
tation, the  Courts  were  purpofelv  put  off,  for  feven  Weeks 
together  ;  that  fome  Planters  who  were  (hortly  to  go  away, 
might  not  have  Opportunity  to  complain  againft  it. 

This  Objeilion  they  averred  to  be  manifeftly  falfe  and 
impoffible.  For  the  Contrail,  which  could  only  be  ratified 
in  a  Quarter  Court,  was  concluded  upon  at  their  laft  Mid- 

fummer 


276  'The   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

1623.     fummer  Quarter   Court,  when  all   the  old   Planters,  being 

' r^-^  about   thirty  in  Number,  were,  or  might  have  been  in  the 

Sir  FraiKis  Com-j-  .  foj-  none  went  away,  till  about  eight  Weeks  after. 
vernor.  "'  Neither  could  it  then  be  difcovered,  that  any  of  them  were 
difcontented  with  it  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  fome  argued  very 
earneftly  for  it.  And  befides,  it  was  untrue,  that  the  Courts 
were  at  all  put  off  fo  long.  For  altho',  by  the  Orders  of 
the  Companies,  there  might  be  a  Ceffation  of  their  Meet- 
ings, in  the  long  Summer  Vacation,  when  the  Noblemen 
and  Gentlemen  of  principal  Figure  and  Confequence  were 
in  the  Country,  unlefs  there  fhould  occur  fome  extraordinary 
and  prefling  Occafion,  yet  the  Courts  met  more  frequently 
that  Summer,  than  had  been  ufual  at  fuch  Times,  by  rea- 
fon  of  fending  out  feveral  Ships,  and  with  them  the  Com- 
pany's Orders  and  Dire£lions  to  the  Colonies. 

5.  It  was  confidently  affirmed,  that  the  Virginia  Plan- 
ters had  petitioned  his  Majefty,  to  bring  all  their  Tobacco 
into  Englmid\  and  that  this  Petition  was,  by  the  Officers  of 
the  Company,  fuppreffed. 

In  Confutation  of  this,  they  referred  to  the  original  Peti- 
tion itfelf,  then  in  the  Hands  of  the  Lord  High  Treafurer  j 
and  they  faid,  that  no  Man,  that  had  ever  feen  that  Peti- 
tion, and  had  not  a  Mind  wilfully  to  put  Wrongs  upon  the 
Company,  could  ever  fcrew  fuch  a  Senfe  out  of  it.  They 
likewife  gave  his  Majefty  an  Account  of  the  Occafion  of  the 
Petition,  and  the  Reafon  why  it  was  not  prefented  ;  the 
fame,  that  has  been  already  given,  in  the  foregoing  Parts  of 
this  History. 

6.  It  was  obje6led,  that  no  Bufinefs  could  be  done  in 
their  Courts,  by  reafon  of  Faction  and  Wrangling. 

To  this  they  anfwered,  that  it  was  an  odd  thing,  for 
Aden  to  complain  of  that,  wherein  themfelves  were  princi- 
pally faulty.  Yet  they  denied  this  to  be  true,  in  fo  general 
and  extenfive  a  Senfe  ;  altho'  it  muft  be  confeffed,  that  fome 
difcontented  Perfons,  who  had  lately  joined  together  to  op- 
pofe  the  Contrail,  had  long  waited  for  all  Occafions,  to 
raife  Troubles  and  Contentions  in  the  Companies  ;  whofe 
Faces,  for  feveral  Years  paft,  had  never  been  feen  in  the 
Courts,  except  when  they  came  to  raife  a  Tempefl:  and 
Difl:urbance.  However,  they  afljjred  his  Majefty,  that 
this  Faftion,  when  they  had  muftered  all  their  Forces,  and 
fent  for  their  whole  Strength  out  of  the  Country,  amounted 
to  but  twenty  fix  Perfons  ;  whereas  the  Virginia  Com- 
pany, in  particular,  confifted  of  about  a  thoufand  Adventu- 
rers, and  oftentimes  two  hundred,  or  more,  were  aflembled 
at  once.  So  that  this  Objection  of  Faftion  and  Wrangling 
muft  neceflarily  return  back  and  refle6l  on  themfelves  ;  as 

in 


I 


Book  V.      "T/je   History   of  VIRGINIA.  277 

in  all  well-governed  Societies,  the  major  Part  was  ever  un-      1623. 
derftood    to   involve   the   Confent   of  the  minor,  which,  by  '— -v^— ^ 

making  Oppofition   and   Clamour,  did   undoubtedly  thereby  ^'''  ^''^"'^'^ 

J      .u      r  I        .u    f  xi-        D    <-  ^  Wyt,  Go- 

render  themielves  the  ractious  rarty,  -^   ' 

T  1011  1       /-^  vernor. 

7.  It  was  objected,  that  the  Government  of  the  Com- 
panies, as  it  then  ftood,  was  democratical  and  tumultuous, 
and   ought   therefore  to    be   altered,   and  reduced  into  the 

Hands  of  a  Few And  this  was   properly  argumentum  ad 

hominem^  and  very  weighty  in  the  Eyes  of  that  Prince  ;  who 
had  a  noted  Averfion  to  all  republican  Forms  of  Govern- 
ment, and  was,  in  Truth,  for  a  Monarchy,  in  the  fl:ri6left 
and  higheft  Senfe  of  the  Word. 

However,  the  Company  replied,  that  as  to  the  Tu- 
multuoufnefs  obje6led,'it  was  already  anfwered  in  the  for- 
mer Article  of  Faction,  and  plainly  appeared  to  proceed  only 
from  themfelves.  And  as  to  the  Democracy,  they  faid, 
that  the  Government  of  the  Companies  was  no  other,  than 
what  was  prefcribed  in  his  Majefty's  Letters-patent  ;  and  it 
was  a  bold  Cenfure,  thus  to  tax  a  Government,  ordained 
and  conftituted  by  fuch  an  Authority.  But  yet  they  denied 
this  Allegation  to  be  jufl,  or  that  their  Government  was 
properly  democratical.  For  the  Companies  had  not  fupreme 
Authority  over  the  People  of  the  Plantations,  but  governed 
them  by  an  Authority  derived  from  the  King,  according 
to  his  Laws,  and  were  accountable  to  his  Majefty  for  their 
Conduct  ;  and  therefore  that  Government  could  not  pro- 
perly be  termed  democratical,  where  the  King  was  fupreme, 
and  where  the  People  fwore  Allegiance  only  to  him.  And 
they  added  farther,  that  the  Companies  were  fo  far  from 
having  fupreme  Power  over  the  People  of  the  Colonies,  that 
when  any  Man  had  committed  Offences,  of  what  high  Na- 
ture fo  ever  (as  lately  appeared  by  two  notorious  Inftances) 
if  they  could  efcape  Punifliment  in  the  Plantations,  where 
the  Companies  had  Power,  by  his  Majefty's  Letters-patent, 
to  call  them  to  Trial  and  Account,  they  might,  there  in 
England^  outface  the  Companies  (as  thofe  two  did)  and 
they  could  have  no  Means  of  Redrefs,  but  by  appealing  to 
higher  Juftice. 

However,  they  owned,  that,  according  to  his  Ma- 
jefty's Inftitution,  their  Government  had  fome  Shew  of  a 
democratical  Form  ;  which  was  neverthelefs,  in  that  Cafe, 
the  moft  juft  and  profitable,  and  moft  conducive  to  the  Ends 
and  Effe£l  aimed  at  thereby.  For  thofe  Plantations,  tho' 
much  furthered  by  his  Majefty's  Grace,  were  yet  chiefly 
founded  by  the  Purfes  of  private  Men  ;  who  would  never 
have  adventured  their  Fortunes  in  fuch  an  Enterprife,  if,  in 
the  Regulation  and  Government  of  the  Bufinefs,  their  own 

Votes 


278  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     Votes  and  Opinions  had  not  been  admitted.      Befides  which, 

^-^v 'fuch   infant  Undertakings  often  called  for  large  and  fpeedy 

Sir  ^'-^«'"  Supplies,   which   could   not  be  fent,  but   by  the   Purfes   of 
?yyat.  Go-  y^  ^yj^^    ^^^   jj^gij.  Voices    been  excluded,  and 

veinor.         i'>"«'y     -^  j  7  ij         ^  u 

the  Management  committed  to  a  r  ew,  would  not  perhaps 
have  been^  over-forward  and  hafty  in  contributing  towards 
their  Relief. 

Lastly,  they  obferved,  that  the  opponent  Fa6lion 
cried  out  loudly  againft  Democracy,  and  yet  called  for  O- 
lio-archy  ;  which  would,  as  they  conceived,  make  the  Go- 
vernment neither  of  better  Form,  nor  more  monarchial. 
But  they  however  hereby  difcovered  their  Aim  and  Defire, 
which  was  to  draw  all  things  into  their  own  Hands  and 
Power,  as  had  been  fufficiently  manifefted  before,  by  fome 
of  their  late  Steps  and  Anions. 

Having  thus  given  Anfwers  to  the  moft  material  Scan- 
dals ao-ainfi:  the  Companies,  they  next  proceeded,  to  inform 
his  Majefty  of  the  true  Caufes,  tho'  difguifed,  why  thefe 
twenty  fix,  by  their  fecret  Whifperings  and  Infinuations, 
and  by  their  continual  under-hand  Pra6lices,  fo  much  la- 
boured, to  difgrace  the  Government  of  the  Companies,  and 
in  Effect,  to  bring  the  Plantations  to  utter  Ruin.  And  they 
aflured  his  Majelty,  that,  whatever  Imputations  they  might 
lay  on  the  Companies  behind  their  Backs,  they  never  yet 
had  the  Confidence,  openly  to  avow  and  maintain  them  in 
their  Courts,  but  always  qualified  them  with  fuch  Diftinc- 
tions  and  Equivocations,  as  amounted  to  a  flat  Denial  of 
what  they  had  faid.     And 

I,  The  firft  Caufe  of  thefe  Mens  Malice  was  the  ill 
Affection  of  the  old  Officers;  out  of  whofe  Hands  (the  Co- 
lonies having  not  profpered  under  them)  the  Government 
was  neceffarily  taken ;  and  their  Profperity  fince,  implying 
the  evident  Benefit  of  that  Removal,  and  a  manifeft  Proof 
of  their  ill  Government,  it  had  fo  offended  them,  that  they 
endeavoured,  the  better  to  cover  that  Fault,  by  publick 
Difturbances,  and  private  Pra6lice  and  Confederation,  to 
interrupt  the  prefent  Profperity  of  the  Colonies,  and  to  ble- 
mifla  the  Reputation,  and  difturb  the  Peace  of  the  Compa- 
nies :  And  that,  to  this  End,  they  had  not  forborn  to  fet  to 
their  Hands  in  Atteftation  of  moft  falfe  and  fcandalous  Peti- 
tions ;  frequently  to  lay  Imputations  themfelves  on  the 
Courts  -,  fometimes  to  procure  Complaints  from  others  a- 
gainft  them  ;  and  at  all  times  to  yield  a  public  Encourage- 
ment and  Proteftion  to  fuch  Perfons,  as  had  done  Wrong, 
or  were  declared  Enemies,  to  the  Companies. 

1.  The  fecond  Caufe  was,  that  the  principal  of  thofe 
Citizens,  and  fome  others,  who  had  wove   themfelves  into 

the 


Book  V.      T:he    History    of  VIRGINIA.  279 

the  Oppofition,  were   for  the   moft  Part  fuch,  as  had  for-      1623- 

marly  borne   Office,  either  in  the  Companies,  or  the  Plan-' -r- — ' 

tations  ;  who  having  not  cleared  their  many  Accounts  (fome^""  ^''^""^ 
of  which  were  very  fufpicious)  and  being  preffed  by  t\\e  ^J^l^l 
Companies,  ufed  all  the  Art,  that  Malice  could  invent,  to 
do  Prejudice,  and  give  Difturbance,  to  the  prefent  Govern- 
ment ;  hoping,  by  that  means  to  fhroud  themfelves  from  a 
due  Examination,  and  fo,  in  the  Storm  and  Confufion,  to 
go  ofF,  unconvi6led  and  unpuniflied. 

3.  Some  others  of  thefe  Opponents,  of  a  different  Rank 
and  Quality,  had  either  been  concerned  in  fpoiling  and  fleec- 
ing the  Plantations,  and  in  fetting  forth  a  piratical  Ship, 
called  the  Ti'eafurer  \  or  elfe  had  abetted  and  prote6led  thofe, 
who  had  done  it,  with  fuch  Violence,  as  was  greatly  to  the 
Offence,  Scandal,  and  Wrong  of  the  Company.  But  their 
Ends  not  fully  anfwering  their  Expectations,  they  had  there- 
fore abandoned  the  Virginia  Courts,  except  when  they  came 
to  raife  Troubles  and  Diffentions,  in  order,  by  that  means, 
to  keep  the  Company  from  calling  thofe  Offences  into 
Quefl:ion. 

4.  Most  of  the  twenty  fix  were  involved  in  fome,  or 
all  thefe  Caufes  of  Diffenfion  ;  and  the  few  that  remained, 
were  either  Servants  to,  or  had  neceffary  Dependency  upon, 
fome  of  the  refl. 

Lastly,  they  went  on  to  propofe  fome  Remedies,  to 
prevent  the  like  Inconveniences  and  Diflurbances  for  the  fu- 
ture. Since  therefore  thefe  Colonies  were  chiefly  fettled, 
for  the  Honour  of  his  Majefty's  Times,  in  propagating  the 
Chriftiayi  Religion  in  thofe  barbarous  Parts  ;  for  the  Enlarge- 
ment of  his  Dominions  ;  for  the  Encreafe  of  his  Revenue  ; 
for  the  enriching  his  People  ;  and  for  the  future  Strength 
and  Ornament  of  the  Kingdom  of  England ;  they  befought 
his  Majefty,  to  give  Countenance  and  Encouragement  to 
their  Labours  ;  to  believe  well  of  the  Companies,  and  not 
give  too  ready  a  Credit  to  the  malicious  and  pre-concerted 
Informations  of  fome  of  their  Members  ;  and  to  grant  them 
fome  fuch  prefent  Teftimonv  of  his  good  Opinion,  and  gra- 
cious Acceptance  of  their  Endeavours,  by  Letter  or  other- 
wife,  as  might  do  Honour  to  the  Company,  and  ftrengthen 
their  Authority.  And  this  they  were  the  rather  induced  to 
hope,  as  the  late  great  Breach  in  the  Companies  had  been 
occafioned,  by  their  Forwardnefs  and  Defire,  to  advance 
his  Majefly's  Profit  and  Revenue  by  the  Contrail.  And 
they  farther  befought  his  Majefly,  to  be  gracioufly  pleafed 
to  declare  his  Intention,  that,  in  all  Bufinefs  of  the  Courts 
for  the  future,  they  (hould  be  left  freely  to  govern  them- 
felves, by  their  Charters  and  Laws  ;  and  withal,  to  give 
■39  U  prefent 


28o  'The   History   0/  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1633-     prefent   Order  to   the   Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  that,  if 

■ — -. '  there  fhould  be  any  fuch  private  Confpiracy,  Confederation, 

Sir  Francis  Q^  Oppofition,  as  the  Companies  themfelves  could  neither 
2nor  ^°'  remedy  nor  punifh,  to  afford  them  their  Help  and  Affiftance, 
in  the  Remedy  and  Punifhment  of  the  fame.  And  laftly 
they  prayed,  that  for  fuch,  as  had  been  accufed  of  henious 
Crimes,  committed  in  the  Plantations,  and  had  thence  efca- 
ped,  and  then  braved  the  Companies  in  England^  his  Ma- 
jefty  would  be  graciouflv  pleafed,  to  extend  his  Power,  and 
fend  them  back  to  the  Plantations,  there  to  receive  their  juft 
and  leo-al  Trials.  And  by  thefe  Afliftances,  the  Companies 
would  be  enabled,  chearfully  to  proceed,  and  in  fhort  time 
fo  to  advance  thofe  great  and  noble  Undertakings,  as  would 
give  his  Majefty  full  Content,  and  juft  Caufe  to  believe, 
that  thefe  his  Favours  had  been  well  beftowed,  and  rightly 
ufed. 

The  Earl  of  Southampton  was  not  prefent,  when  thefe 
things  pafled  ;  and  as  he  was  obnoxious  at  Court,  and  had 
received  fome  ill  Ufage  from  it,  it  may  be  furmifed,  that  he 
kept  out  of  the  Way  purpofely,  to  avoid  being  farther  em- 
broiled. But  it  is,  I  think,  much  more  agreeable  to  the 
Character  of  that  worthy  and  patriot  Nobleman,  to  fup- 
pofe,  that  he  did  not  deiert  his  Station  in  fuch  a  Manner, 
but  was  abfent  on  other  juft  and  neceflary  Occafions.  In 
his  Abfence  therefore,  thefe  two  Papers  (together  with  a 
Petition  to  his  Majefty,  to  refer  the  Hearing  of  the  Com- 
plaints of  Alderman  John/on  and  his  Aflbciates,  to  the  Body 
of  his  moft  Honourable  Privy  Council)  were  committed  to 
Lord  Cavendijh^  Lord  Delaiuarr^  Sir  Edvoard  Sackvil^  Sir 
yohn  Brooke^  and  Colonel  Ogle^  to  take  the  firft  proper  Op- 
portunity to  prefent  them  to  his  Alajefty,  and  to  make 
Choice  of  fuch  others  of  the  Company,  as  they  thought 
fit,  to  atend  them. 

This  Court  alfo,  at  Mr.  Deputy  Farrar's,  Motion, 
conferred  the  Freedom  of  the  Company  on  Careiu  Ralegh 
Efq;  the  only  furviving  Son  of  Sir  Walter.  He  had  gone, 
after  his  Father's  Death,  a  Gentleman  Commoner,  to  JVad- 
ham  College,  in  Oxford  \  where  he  continued  his  Studies, 
about  five  Years.  About  this  time,  being  yet  fcarce  twenty 
Years  of  Age,  he  came  up  to  London.^  and  went  to  Court ; 
hoping  by  the  Favour  of  TViUia?n^  Earl  of  Pembroke.,  his 
noble  Kinfman,  to  obtain  fome  Redrefs,  in  the  Hardfhips 
and  Wrongs  done  him.  But  the  King  did  not  like  his 
Countenance  there  ;  and  faid,  that  he  appeared  in  his  Court, 
like  his  Father's  Ghoft.  Wherefore,  by  the  Earl's  Advice, 
he  removed  himfelf  from  his  Majefty's  Sight,  and  went 
upon  his  Travels,  till  a  more  favourable  Conjundlure  fhould 

offer. 


/ 


BookV.       rZv   History   ^/  VIRGINIA.  281 

offer.      But  however  fixed  this   Monarch   might  be  in  his      1623. 
Antipathy,  and   however   fteady  and  conftant  in   doing  an  ^'"■~>'~— ^ 
eternal  Diflionour  to  his  own   Tudgment  and  Fame,  by  dif-^""  ^''"""^ 
gracing  and  depreffing  every   thing  that    had   Relation  to  ^^^^^^ 
this  Great  Man,  the   Virginia  Company  feems  to  have  had 
a  quite  different  Notion  of  things.      For  they  wilhngly  em- 
braced the  Pretence,  of  Sir  IFalter  Raleigh's  being  the  firft 
Difcoverer  of  Virginia^  to  teftify  their  Refpe6l   to  his  Me- 
mory and    Merit,  by   conferring  extraordinarily,   upon   his 
Son,  the  Freedom  of  the   Company,  and  a  Voice  in  their 
Courts.     And  he  accordingly  appears  at  their  Courts,  com- 
monly ranked  with   the  Knights,  till   yioie  the  next  Year, 
at  which  time,  it  may  be  fuppofed,  he  went   on  his   Tra- 
vels. 

Soon  after  this,  authentic  Copies  of  Alderman  'John- 
fons  Petition  and  Captain  Butler's  Information  were,  by 
fome  Perfon,  fent  to  the  Company  ;  which  being  publickly 
and  diftinftly  read,  the  Court  was  informed  by  Perfons  of 
Worth,  that  this  Report,  in  particular,  of  the  Unhealthi- 
nefs  of  the  Country,  and  of  the  Colony's  being  feated 
among  Bogs  and  Marfhes,  having  been  induftrioufly  fpread 
by  Captain  Butler  and  his  Affociates,  not  only  over  all 
Parts  of  the  City,  but  likewife  into  divers  Parts  of  the 
Country,  was  likely  to  ftop  many  hundreds  of  People,  who 
were  preparing  to  tranfport  themfelves  thither  ;  and  that  it 
was  therefore  abfolutely  neceffary,  to  make  an  immediate 
Enquiry  about  that  Matter.  Whereupon  fome,  then  pre- 
fent,  who  had  been  long  and  often  in  Virginia^  affirmed 
upon  their  certain  Knowledge,  that,  at  all  the  Plantations 
on  the  main  River,  they  might  land,  with  Boats  drawing 
three  Foot  Water,  from  half  Flood  to  half  Ebb,  fafe  and 
dry,  without  wetting  their  Foot;  and  that  they  had  found, 
by  their  own  Experience,  the  Air  to  be  as  wholefome,  and 
the  Soil  for  the  moft  Part,  as  fertile,  as  in  any  Part  of  En- 
gland^ or  of  any  other  Country,  where  they  had  been. 
But  the  better  to  obviate  the  ill  Confequences  and  Calum- 
nies of  Captain  Butler's  Information,  an  Anfwer  was  drawn 
up  in  Writing  againff  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Company, 
and  fubfcribed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Meafe^  a  Minifter, 
who  had  lived  ten  Years  in  Virginia  ;  by  one  Mr.  John 
ProSier^  a  Man  of  good  Sort,  who  had  lived  there  fourteen 
Years ;  and  by  fourteen  others,  Mafters  of  Ships,  Mari- 
ners, and  Inhabitants,  who  had  been  and  lived,  fome  more 
and  fome  lefs,  in  the  Country,  and  were  perfe6lly  ac- 
quainted with  the  River,  and  all  Parts  of  the  Colony. 
This  Anfwer,  which  they  declared  themfelves  ready  to 
juftify  upon  Oath,  contained  a  flat  Denial  and  Difproof  of 

U  2  the 


282  The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.        Book  V. 

1623.  the  feven  firft  Articles  of  Butler's  Information.  As  to  the 
^- — Y — -^  three  lafl:,  they  left  them  to  be  anfwered  by  the  Governor 
Sir  Francii^LnA    Company,  as   relating  immediately  to   themfelves,   and 

^'^''     °'  containing;  things,  either  above  their  Determination,  or  out 

vernor.  &>  o  '  ... 

of  their  Knovv^ledge.  And  as  this  Writing  contained  the 
Teftimony  of  Eye-witnefles  to  Matters  of  Fa6l,  it  agreed 
fo  exadllv  in  Subftance  with  an  Anfwer,  afterwards  return- 
ed from  Virginia  by  the  Governor  and  General  AfTembly, 
that  I  {hall  not  detain  the  Reader,  at  prefent,  with  an  Ab- 
ftra6t  of  it,  but  fhall  refer  to  that  more  authentic  Teftimo- 
ny of  the  whole  Body  of  the  Colony,  which  will  be  here- 
after recited,  in  it's  proper  Time  and  Place. 

But  befides  this  Difproof  of  Captain  .6«^/^r's  Informa- 
tion, the  farther  to  dete6l  and  expofe  his  malicious  De- 
figns  and  unfair  Proceedings,  two  Papers  were  produced  in 
Court,  and  admitted  to  Record,  under  the  Hands  of  yohn 
Severne^  Mafters-Mate,  and  yohn  Loiue^  Boatfwain,  of  the 
James.  In  thefe  they  affirmed,  that  coming,  one  Morn- 
ing, to  Captain  Nathaniel  Butler^  about  fome  Bufinefs,  the 
faid  Captain  brought  a  Writing  in  his  Hand,  and  began  to 
read  fome  Part  of  it ;  telling  them,  he  had  been  with  the 
King,  and  protefting,  the  Writing  was  for  the  Good  of  the 
Country.  Whereupon  they,  being  in  great  Hafte,  having 
heard  a  few  Lines  only  read,  and  not  attending  much  to 
the  Matter,  and  befides  conceiving  Captain  Butler  to  be  a 
very  honeft  Man,  did  readily  fet  their  Hands  to  the  faid 
Writing.  But  having  fince  underftood,  that  it  was  in  Dif- 
grace  and  Difparagement  of  the  Country,  they,  the  faid 
John  Severne  and  John  Lowe^  did  thereby  difavow  the  faid 
Writing,  as  falfe  and  unjuft  ;  and  farther  protefted,  that, 
upon  their  Oaths,  they  muft  declare  the  contrary.  And  all 
thefe  Proofs  of  his  wilful  Malice  and  Injuftice  did  Captain 
Butler  fit  in  the  Court  and  hear,  and  calmly  demanded  a 
Copy  of  the  Anfwer  to  his  Information. 

But  as  his  Majefty  intended,  in  Compliance  with  the 
Petitions  of  both  Alderman  Jahnfon  and  the  Company,  to 
appoint  Commiffioners  to  enquire  into  all  thefe  Matters  and 
Allegations,  the  Court  thought  it  proper,  to  prepare  be- 
times to  make  their  Defence.  To  this  End,  as  the  Com- 
pany confifted  of  many  Members  of  both  Houfes  of  Parlia- 
ment, they  were  naturally  led  to  the  Parliamentary  Me- 
thods of  proceeding,  and  refolved  themfelves  into  a  grand 
Committee  of  the  whole  Company,  which  had  Power,  to 
fubftitute  and  ordain  other  Sub-Committees,  for  expediting 
Matters  ;  that  fo  the  Bufinefs,  being  parted  among  many 
Hands,  might  be  the  more  fpeedily  and  better  accompliftied. 
And  now  having  Copies  of  Alderman  Johnfons  and  Cap- 
tain 


I 


Book  V.      "Tbe    History    of   VIRGINIA.  283 

tain   Butler's   Complaints,  they  foon   after  drew   up  dire6l      1623. 
and  particular  Anfwers  to  them  both.  ''"- — y^-^ 

In  Anfwer  to  Alderman  'JohnforCs  Petition,  they  ob-^""  ^''''""^ 
ferved,  that  it  was  founded  upon  three  main  Allegations  :  ^J^^^^ 
Firft,  that  the  former  Government,  under  Sir  Thornas  Smithy 
as  Treafurer,  and  Mr.  Canning  and  himfelf,  as  Deputy- 
Treafurers,  was  mild  and  difcreet ;  whereby  all  Sorts  of 
Perfons  were  induced  to  engage  themfelves  in  that  great 
and  difficult  A£tion,  which  thence  proceeded  in  a  moft 
hopeful  Way,  and  with  Peace  and  Concord  ;  whereas  it 
had  of  late  come  to  pafs,  that  their  Love  and  Unity  at 
home  were  turned  into  civil  Difcord  and  Diflenfion  ;  and 
that  divers  of  the  ancient  Adventurers  and  Planters  con- 
ceived themfelves,  to  be  many  ways  injured,  abufed  and 
oppreffed. 

To  this  they  replied:  That  as  to  the  Government  at 
home  in  thofe  times,  all  his  Majefty's  particular  Inftru6lions 
therein  were  clean  fuppreffed  and  extinguifhed,  and  the 
Originals  no  longer  extant  ;  and  that  there  were  no  Orders 
made  for  the  Government  of  the  Company,  except  now 
and  then  one,  upon  prefent  Occafion.  And  as  to  the  Go- 
vernment abroad  in  the  Colony,  it  was,  for  the  moft  part, 
left  abfolutely  to  the  Governor's  Will  and  Pleafure  ;  only 
inftead  of  a  Body  of  moderate  Laws,  agreeable  to  the  Con- 
ftitution  and  Government  of  England^  there  was  printed  at 
home,  and  with  great  Honour  dedicated  to  Sir  Thoinas 
Smithy  and  afterwards  by  him  fent  to  Virginia^  by  his  own 
Authority,  and  without  the  Company's  Order  or  Confent, 
a  Book  of  moft  truculent  Laws,  written  in  Blood  ;  which, 
altho'  they  might  ferve  for  Martial  Government  in  time  of 
War,  being  tranflated  moft  of  them  from  the  Martial 
Laws  of  the  United  Provinces,  yet  were  abfolutely  deftruc- 
tive  of  all  the  native  Rights  and  Liberties  of  Englijh  Sub- 
je6ls,  and  very  far  from  deferving  the  Name  of  a  mild  Go- 
vernment, here  given  it  by  the  Petitioners  :  And  that,  for 
this  Caufe,  People  in  England  were  deterred  from  going 
over  in  Perfon,  to  live  there  under  fuch  bloody  and  tyran- 
nical Laws,  and  many  of  his  Majefty's  Subjects  in  Virgi- 
nia were  put  to  moft  unjuft  and  undeferved  Deaths.  But 
moft  efpecially,  fuch  a  Weapon  was  hereby  put  into  the 
Hands  of  one  of  the  Governors,  a  Kinfman  of  Sir  Thomas 
Smithy  that  he,  in  a  manner,  fpoiled  and  deftroyed  the  whole 
Colony,  as  was  ftill  extant  and  to  be  feen,  in  the  Letters  of 
Sir    Thomas  Smith  himfelf  and  Alderman  Joh?ifon. 

That  the  Confequence  of  this  Mifgovernment  was, 
that  the  Colony  was  wafted  to  a  few  hundreds  of  Peo- 
ple, who  had  neverthelefs  no  Intent  to  proceed  in  the  Plan- 

U  3  tation, 


284  "The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     tation,  but  being  deftitute  of  Food,  both  fpiritual  and  tem- 

■ .'-^  poral,  cried  out   loudly  againft  the  Company,  for  Injuftice 

Sir  Francis  ^j^^  Cruelty  ;  being  fome  times,  in  Defpair,  all  {hipped  to 
vernor.  "return,  and  at  other  times,  in  Revenge,  adopting  to  them- 
felves  new  Patrons  and  Defenders  againft  their  bad  Govern- 
ment. And  that  Adventurers  at  home  did  indeed,  at  hrft, 
come  plentifully  in,  as  to  a  new  Thing  ;  but  that,  at  laft, 
they  abandoned  the  Courts,  and  refufed  to  pay  their  Mo- 
nies fubfcribed ;  for  which  being  fued,  they  pleaded  in 
Chancery,  upon  their  Oaths,  that  the  Monies  were  not 
converted  to  the  Ufe  intended,  but  to  particular  Men's 
Gains  ;  and  that  no  Accounts  were  kept,  or  were  at  leaft 
to  be  ken.  But  on  the  contrary,  they  faid,  what  Refor- 
mations had  been  made,  and  what  Meafures  taken,  in  Point 
of  Government,  for  the  four  laft  Years,  might  be  appa- 
rent to  all  Men  ;  and  that  their  Labours  herein  had  given 
fuch  Satisfa6lion  to  the  Plantations,  that  the  Colony  of  Fir- 
gifiia  had,  in  particular,  by  a  publick  A61  in  their  General 
Aflembly,  returned  Thanks  to  the  Company,  for  their 
great  Love,  Juftice,  and  Care. 

As  for  Difcord  and  Diffenfion,  they  acknowledged, 
within  the  Compafs  of  the  four  laft  Years,  there  had  been 
fome  great  Rents  made  in  the  Council  and  Company  ;  but 
that  thefe  proceeded  wholly  from  the  Alderman  and  his 
Party,  the  greateft  Number  of  whom  were  feldom  feen  in 
their  Courts,  but  when  they  came  to  raife,  or  to  nourifh, 
this  very  Difcord  and  Faction,  they  here  complained  of. 
And  as  to  the  Wrongs  and  Oppreilion  of  the  ancient  Ad- 
venturers and  Planters,  they  challenged  him  to  fhew,  that 
the  Juftice,  which  it  was  in  the  Company's  Power  to  give, 
had  ever  been  denied  to  any  Man  whatfoever  ;  much  lefs 
had  the  Goods  of  fome  particular  Perfons  in  the  Colonies, 
by  private  Directions  and  underhand  Letters,  been  taken 
violently  from  them,  contrary  to  all  Juftice  and  due  Courfe 
of  Law,  and  configned  into  the  Hands  of  their  potent  Ad- 
verfaries  in  England  ;  as  was  notorioufly  done,  in  the  Cafe 
of  Captain  Miles  Ketidal.,  formerly  Governor  of  Bermudas^ 
who  was  fpoiled  by  Captain  Butler.,  his  Succeflbr,  of  four- 
teen Negroes,  granted  him  by  a  Dutch  Captain,  under  a 
falfe  and  groundlefs  Pretence,  that  they  belonged  to  their 
piratical  Ship,  the  Treafurer. 

The  fecond  Allegation  of  Alderman  Johnfon\  Petition 
was  :  That,  under  the  former  Government,  they  had 
Peace  with  the  Indians.,  by  which  means  fundry  of  thofe 
Infidels,  and  fome  of  eminent  Rank,  were  converted  to  the 
Chrijiian  Religion  ;  whereas,  of  late,  there  had  been  a 
Mallacre  and  Hoftility  between  the  Natives  and  the  Colony 
of  Virginia.  I  n 


Book  V.       rbe   History    c/  VIRGINIA.  285 

In  Anfwer  to   this,  they  denied,  that   except  Pocahontas      "623. 

(whom  they   here    call   Matoax)   there    had   happened   any^~~ — y ' 

thing  of  Note  in  the  Converfion  of  thofe  Infidels,  under  ^'''  F'''"'"^ 
Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Adminiftration.  And  they  farther  at-  ^J^^l 
firmed,  that,  during  his  time,  the  Englijh  were  almoft  in 
a  continual  War  and  Hoftility  with  the  Indians  ;  and  that, 
in  particular.  Captain  Argall  came  away,  in  the  laft  Part 
of  that  time,  and  left  unpunifhed  the  Adurder  of  ten  of  the 
EngliJ]:)^  by  a  Party  of  the  Chickahominies.  But  on  the 
contrary,  how  great,  and  what  chargeable  Attempts,  had 
been  made,  within  the  laft  four  Years,  for  the  Converfion 
and  Education  of  thofe  Infidels,  was  fufficiently  evident, 
from  the  Plantation  for  the  College  ;  on  which,  notwith- 
ftanding  the  late  Maflacre,  they  conceived,  there  were  yet 
remaining  fixty  Tenants,  or  thereabouts.  And  the  Com- 
pany had  indeed,  in  their  firft  Letter  after  the  Knowledge 
of  the  Maflacre,  propofed  Methods,  and  given  ftri6l  Or- 
ders, to  the  Governor  and  Council,  for  the  Renewal  of  the 
College,  and  Refettlement  of  it's  Lands  ;  but  Means  being 
wanting,  the  Governor  and  Council  could  do  nothing  in  it 
to  Effe6t.  However  they  promifed,  that  that  pious  Work 
fhould,  by  the  Divine  Afliftance,  again  proceed,  in  due 
time.  And  as  to  the  Hoftility  with  the  Indians^  they  de- 
clared, there  had  been  none,  within  the  four  laft  Years,  be- 
fore the  late  treacherous  and  bloody  Maflacre  ;  which  had 
it  not  happened,  thefe  Maligners  muft  have  been  mute, 
and  would  have  had  nothing  to  alledge  to  the  Difgrace  of 
the  Company  and  Plantation. 

The  third  Allegation  of  the  Alderman's  Petition  was: 
That,  in  the  firft  twelve  Years,  divers  Staple-Commodities 
began  to  be  raifed  and  imported  into  England;  whereas,  of 
late  Years,  the  aforefaid  Commodities  did  not  appear. 

They  replied,  that  this  Obje61:ion  reflefted  ftrongly  on 
the  Objector  himfelf.  They  owned,  that  fome  Samples  of 
thofe  Commodities  had  been,  by  the  Induftry  of  Sir  Thomas 
Dale^  fent  home,  in  the  ninth  and  tenth  Years  of  the  firft 
twelve  ;  but  that  none  had  appeared,  in  the  two  laft,  un- 
der the  Government  of  Captain  Argall.  The  Reafon  of 
which  was,  that  the  Magazine  being  then  on  foot,  whereof 
the  Alderman  was  Director,  it  pleafed  him,  to  fet  no  Price 
upon  any  other  Commodity,  except  Tobacco  and  Safl'afras, 
being  Commodities  of  his  own  Trade,  and  for  the  greateft 
Part  whereof  he  himfelf  became  the  Company's  Chapman  ; 
and  that,  by  this  means,  all  Endeavours  for  thofe  other 
Commodities  were  abandoned,  and  the  Colony  pofl'efl'ed 
with  that  doating  Affeftion  for  Tobacco,  which  the  Com- 
pany had   not  fince,  with  all  their  Care,  been  able  to  ex- 

U  4  tinguiih. 


286  The   History   0/  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.     tinguifh.      And  they  then  proceeded,   to   recount  their  late 

^—"^-^"^-^  Endeavours  for  raifing  divers  Commodities;   which  had  in- 

S\r  Francs  jggj  lately  reccivcd  a  fore  Interruption  from  the  MafTacre, 

vemor.   °'  ^ut  it  was  their  Intent  and  Refolution,  fhortly  again  to  re- 

ftore  and  fet  them  up. 

As  for  that  Pretence,  that  the  Petition  aimed  at  no  other 
End,  but  that  after  the  Work  of  fome  necelTary  Reforma- 
tion, the  Work  of  the  Plantations  might  be  again  renewed 
and  profper  ;  they  faid,  they  were  obliged,  therein  to  de- 
tect the  Alderman's  unclear  Proceedings.  For  it  fhould  be 
juftified  againft  him,  by  undeniable  Proof:  That  he  had 
laboured  of  late,  by  ftrange  and  falfe  Allegations,  to  dif- 
courage  fome  Perfons  of  Eminence  and  Fortune,  from  fa- 
vouring or  proceeding  in  the  Enterprife :  That  he  had 
brow-beaten  and  found  Fault  with  fuch,  as  had  commended 
the  Country,  fo  much  extolled  formerly  by  himfelf,  in  fun- 
dry  printed  Treatifes  ;  and  had  declared,  that  the  World 
had  been  cheated  and  deluded  by  Vh'ginia  :  That  he  had 
faid,  there  were  too  many  of  the  Englifh  Nation  there  al- 
ready ;  that  the  Staple-Commodities,  fpoken  of,  would 
come  to  nothing  ;  that  the  Iron  was  bafe,  and  not  worth 
the  Freight ;  the  Grapes  four,  and  the  Climate  improper 
for  Wine  ;  that  the  Mulberry  Trees  had  a  Prickle  in  them, 
which  deftroyed  the  Silk-worms,  when  they  came  to  any 
Bignefs  ;  and  that  the  Converfion  of  the  Infidels  was  a  vain 
and  impoflible  Attempt,  they  being  defcended  of  the  cur- 
fed  Race  of  Ham.  And  now,  whether  a  Perfon  of  this 
Malice  and  Virulency  of  Difpofition  was  a  proper  Instru- 
ment to  work  out  the  Good  of  the  Colonies,  they  left  to 
the  Judgment  of  all  clear  and  impartial  Minds. 

Lastly,  touching  the  IfTue  of  the  Petition,  that  all 
Abufes  might  be  examined  and  reformed,  the  Company  de- 
clared, they  willingly  concurred  with  the  Petitioners  there- 
in, but  could  not  forbear  remarking  their  too  evident  Par- 
tiality. For  they  defired  only,  that  the  Accounts  fince  Sir 
Thomas  Smiths  Time  might  be  examined,  which  had  al- 
was  been  fairly  kept,  and  legally  audited,  according  to  the 
Orders  of  the  Court,  (except  by  one  only  of  the  Petitioner's 
Society)  and  yet  they  paffed  the  Accounts  of  the  former 
Years  over  in  Silence,  which  were  neverthelefs  three  times 
as  large,  and  thrice  three  times  more  queftionable. 

In  their  Anfwer  to  Captain  Butler's  Information,  they 
recited,  that  the  feven  firft  Articles  had  been  anfwered  by 
fixteen  Eye-witnefTes  of  the  Matters  alledged.  Men  of  un- 
queftionable  Charadler  and  Veracity,  who  were  ready,  at 
any  time,  to  juftify  the  fame  upon  their  Oaths.  They 
therefore  referred  to   that,  as  being  the  higheft  and  moft 

unex- 


Book  V.      The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

unexceptionable  Evidence,  that  could  be  had  in  fuch  a 
Cafe  ;  and  thev  proceeded  themfelves,  to  give  Anfvvers  to 
the  three  laft  Articles.  But  as  the  Anfwer,  afterwards  re-^'J^  Francis 
turned  from  Virginia  by  the  Governor  and  General  ^^- ^^'^^^^  °" 
fembly,  was  much  the  fame  in  Purport  with  this,  I  fhall 
ftill,  to  avoid  all  tedious  and  needlefs  Repetition,  refer  to 
that,  hereafter  to  be  given.  But  as  to  Butler 'S.  laft  Claufe, 
of  the  Confufions  and  private  Ends  of  fome  of  the  Com- 
panv  in  England^  and  of  the  bad  Execution  of  their  Agents 
in  Virgiyiia^  they  befought  his  Majefty,  that  he  might  not 
be  permitted  to  wander  in  fuch  general  and  indeterminate 
Accufations,  which  only  tended  to  Slander  and  Defamation, 
but  might  be  obliged  to  make  an  exprefs  and  particular 
Difcovery  of  thofe  Perfons  and  Meafures  before  the  Com- 
miffioners,  that  were  foon  to  be  appointed.  And  in  the 
mean  while,  they  protefted  againfl:  it,  as  calumnious  and 
unjuft,  and  of  the  felf-fame  Truth  with  the  reft  of  his  In- 
formations. 

Mr.  Berblock  alfo  defired,  that  a  fhort  Pallage,  out  of 
one  of  Sir  Thomas  Dale's  Letters  to  Sir  Thomas  Smithy  might 
be  read  ;  which  he  had  accidentally  happened  upon,  in  pe- 
rufing  the  Company's  Books,  by  Order  of  the  Court.  This 
was  dated  in  yune  1613,  and  has  been  already  mentioned 
and  extra6ted.  In  it,  he  defires  them  not  to  be  gulled  by 
the  clamorous  Reports  of  bafe  People,  but  to  believe  Caleb 
and  yojhiia^  and  gives  a  very  great  and  lavifh  Commenda- 
tion of  the  Country  ;  which  A4r.  yohn  Smith  declared  to 
agree  exa6tlv,  with  what  he,  and  divers  other  Perfons  of 
Worth,  had  heard  from  his  ov\ai  Mouth  in  England;  and 
A'Ir.  Copelatid  affirmed,  that  Sir  Thomas  Dale  had  told  him 
the  fame  in  Effect,  at  yapan  in  the  Eaji-Indies.  There 
was  alfo  read  Part  of  a  Letter  from  Sir  Samuel  Argall  to 
the  Company,  dated  in  yuly  16 17,  highly  commending  the 
Healthinefs  and  Conveniency  of  yames-Town.  To  thefe 
was  added,  at  the  Lord  Cavejidi/h's  Motion,  a  long  Decla- 
ration, by  his  Majefty's  Council  for  Virginia^  and  the  prin- 
cipal Affiftants  for  the  Soiner-ljlands  ;  in  which,  thev  plain- 
ly, and  without  Difguife  or  Palliation,  laid  open  the  whole 
Scene  of  the  Earl  of  Warwick' s  Proceedings,  with  the  ini- 
quitous Praftices  of  himfelf  and  his  Fa6tion,  but  moft  efpe- 
cially  of  his  too  grand  Inftruments  of  Rapine,  Sir  Samuel 
Argall  and  Captain  Butler.  This  long  and  particular  Rela- 
tion has  been  of  fingular  Service,  and  given  great  Light,  in 
the  fuller  Detedtion  of  their  fraudulent  Arts  and  Manage- 
ment ;  but  as  it  contains  nothing  materially  different  from 
the  foregoing  Relation  of  their  Proceedings,  I  fhall  eafe  both 
mvfelf  and  the  Reader  from  the  Trouble  of  an  Abftra6l. 

^*^  All 


rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

All  thefe  Publick  A<£i:s,  Declarations,  and  Teftimonials 
were  laid  before  his  Majefty,  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Coun- 
cil, and  the  Commiflioners.  For,  two  Days  after  this,  on 
the  9th  of  AfiTy,  a  Commiflion  iflued,  under  the  Great  Seal 
of  England,  to  Sir  IVilliam  fones.  Knight,  one  of  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Juftices  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Sir  Nicholas 
Fortefcue,  Sir  Francis  Gofton,  Sir  Richard  Sutton-,  Sir  JVil- 
liam  Pit,  Sir  Henry  Bourchier,  and  Sir  Henry  Spilman, 
Knights,  or  any  four  of  them,  to  examine  and  enquire  into 
all  Matters  and  Bufinefles,  any  ways  relating  or  appertain- 
ing to  the  Plantations  of  Virginia  and  the  Somer-IJIands. 
Altho'  the  Points,  to  be  enquired  into,  ran  very  much,  in 
this  Commiflion,  according  to  the  general  Heads,  and  even 
the  very  Words,  of  the  latter  Part  of  Alderman  'Johnfoti's 
Petition,  yet  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  had  the  Alder- 
man's Partiality  reformed,  and  their  Enquiry  was  not  con- 
fined to  the  four  laft  Years,  but  extended  to  all  A<3:s  and 
Things,  from  the  firft  Incorporation  of  the  Companies, 
and  Settlement  of  the  Colonies.  Who  thefe  Commiflioners 
v/ere,  and  what  were  their  real  Characters  and  Conduit 
through  Life,  I  cannot  fay.  I  only  find,  that  Camhden,  in 
his  Annals  for  the  Year  1619,  briefly  mentions  Fortefcue^ 
Gofton,  Sutton,  and  Pit,  late  Commiflioners  for  the  Navy, 
and  for  Domefl:ick  Affairs,  to  be  then  knighted. 

From  this  time,  all  Letters  from  the  Colonies,  both 
publick  and  private,  were  intercepted  by  his  Majefl:y's 
Command  ;  in  order  to  furprife,  and  find  out,  any  fecret 
Combinations  and  underhand  Practices  of  the  Companies, 
or  their  Officers.  All  their  Books  and  Records  were  like- 
wife  fequeftered,  by  an  Order  of  the  Privy  Council ;  and 
both  the  Mr.  Farrars,  the  Deputy-Treafurers  to  the  two 
Companies,  were  laid  under  Arrefl:,  and  confined.  I  can- 
not difcover,  by  what  Colour  or  Pretence  this  was  done  ; 
but  it  was  a  great  Interruption,  in  preparing  the  Company's 
Bufinefs,  which  was  to  be  laid  before  the  Commiflioners. 
For  their  Defence  depended  entirely  on  their  Books  and 
Records,  from  which,  they  doubted  not,  to  make  their 
Innocency  abundantly  appear.  And  they  were  fo  fenfible 
of  the  Prejudice,  that  would  arife  to  the  Companies,  by 
their  Deputies  Reftraint,  who  were  their  greateft  Accomp- 
tants,  and  by  reafon  of  their  Places,  the  mod:  converfant 
of  all  others  in  the  Bufinefs  of  late  Years,  that  they  peti- 
tioned the  Privy  Council,  fo  far  at  leaft  to  fet  them  at  Li- 
berty, that  they  might  be  able  to  go  forward  with  the  Com- 
pany's Bufinefs,  and  attend  the  Commiflioners.  And  their 
Books  were  accordingly  foon  after  reftored,  and  the  Depu- 
ties releafed. 

But 


BookV.       The   History    0/  VIRGINIA.  289 

But  from  thefe,  and  other  difcouraging  Circumftances,      1623. 

it  was  an   eafy  Matter  to  conje6lure,  what  was  aimed  at,  ^ v^— ^ 

and  how  things  were  going.  And  therefore  the  great  Of-^'''.  ^'''^'jf'^ 
ficers  of  the  Company,  the  Earl  of  Sourhampton^  Sir  Edzu'ui  ,  ^."^'l 
Sandys^  and  the  two  Farrars^  through  whofe  Hands  all  the 
Company's  Bufinefs  and  Money  had  of  late  Years  pafTed, 
fued  out  their  general  Acquittances  in  the  Court.  And  as 
their  Accounts  had  undergone  the  Examination  of  the 
Company's  Auditors,  and  had  laid,  all  their  legal  time,  and 
fome  much  longer,  open  in  the  Courts,  for  any  Perfon  to 
examine,  and  make  Exceptions  againft  them,  their  Dif- 
charges  were  granted,  under  the  legal  Seal,  by  a  chearful 
and  unanimous  Concurrence  of  the  whole  Company.  The 
Proportions  of  Land,  formerly  granted,  were  alfo  confirm- 
ed to  them  in  the  ftrongeft  Manner,  and  Mr.  'John  Farrar 
had  the  beft  Security  they  could  give  him,  for  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  Pounds,  which  he  had  taken  up  at  Intereft, 
for  the  Ufe,  and  by  the  Order  of  the  Company  ;  all  their 
EfFecSls  from  Virginia  being  ordered,  to  be  configned  into 
his  and  his  Brother  Nicholas  Far?'ar's  Hands  (who  was  like- 
wife  foon  after  found  to  be  about  eighty  Pounds  in  Advance 
for  the  Company)  till  their  Ballances,  with  all  other  Da- 
mages incident  thereto,  were  difcharged. 

I  N  Confideration  of  the  ill  Confequences,  of  having  con- 
tinued Sir  'Thomas  Smith  fo  many  Years  in  the  Place  of 
Treafurer,  the  Company  had  made  it  a  ftanding  Rule  and 
Order,  that  no  Perfon,  after  that,  fhould  hold  the  Place  of 
Treafurer  or  Deputy,  above  three  Years  together.  The 
Earl  of  Southampton^  three  Years  being  therefore  now  ex- 
pired. Lord  CavetidiJJ}  and  Lord  Paget  were  named,  to 
ftand  in  Election  to  fucceed  him.  The  King  had  always 
been  endeavouring,  to  get  fuch  a  Perfon  chofen  into  that 
Place  of  chief  Government,  as  fhould  be  perfe6lly  fubmif- 
five  to  his  Pleafure  and  Command.  And  now,  on  the  Day 
of  Election,  the  Court  received  a  Letter  from  his  Majefty, 
fignifying  ;  That  he  had  appointed  Commilfioners,  to  exa- 
mine into  the  prefent  State  of  the  Colony  of  Virginia ; 
and  as  he  expe6led  to  receive,  within  a  few  Days,  fome 
Account  of  their  Labours  therein,  it  was  his  Will  and 
Pleafure,  that  all  Officers  fhould  continue,  as  they  were  ; 
and  that  they  fliould  not  proceed  to  any  new  Ele6tion,  be- 
fore the  Morrow  fortnight  after,  at  the  fooneft.  This  un- 
expeiled  Order,  and  myfterious  Reafon,  caufed  a  long  and 
general  Silence  in  the  Court.  But  at  length,  confidering, 
that  they  were  reftrained,  by  their  Charters,  to  Quarter 
Courts  only  for  the  Ele6tion  of  Officers  ;  and  that,  all  Of- 
fices expiring  that  Day,  their  Government  would  become 

void, 


The    History    of  VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

void,  and  their  Patents  forfeited,  unlefs  fomething  was  done 
therein,  they  continued  all  Officers  in  their  Places,  not  a 
Sir  Francts  Fortnip-ht  longer,  but  'till  the  next  Quarter  Court,  when 
vernor.  only  Ele£lion  could  legally  be  made.  And  thus,  the  King 
never  after  having  expreffed  his  Pleafure  herein,  and  the 
Company,  to  avoid  Mifconftrudlion,  forbearing  to  do  any 
thing,  'till  his  Majefty's  Pleafure  was  farther  known,  the 
Earl  of  Southampton  and  Mr.  Nicholas  Farrar  were,  from 
time  to  time,  continued  in  their  Places,  'till  the  Suppreffion 
of  the  Courts  and  DifTolution  of  the  Company. 

In  fome  of  the  intercepted  letters  from  Virginia^  the 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  found  great  Complaints  of  the 
Scarcity  of  Provifions.  This  had  been  occafioned  by  the 
Maflacre,  and  the  confequent  War  with  the  Indians ;  by 
which  much  of  their  Corn  and  Stocks  had  been  deftroyed, 
and  a  general  Interruption  given  to  the  Culture  of  their 
Lands.  Their  Lordfhips  therefore  called  the  Deputy,  and 
a  {f^  more  of  the  Company,  before  them  ;  and  acquaint- 
ing them  therewith,  commanded  them,  to  fend  an  imme- 
diate Relief  to  the  Colony.  And  they  propofed,  that  the 
whole  Company  fliould  be  obliged  to  contribute  their  Parts 
towards  it,  according  to  the  Number  of  each  Man's  Shares, 
by  rating  them  at  twenty,  or  at  leaft  ten  Shillings,  a  Share  ; 
and  that  they  fhould  be  compelled  to  pay  the  fame,  by  an 
Order  of  that  Board.  But  Mr.  Farrar  and  his  Affociates 
feem,  not  to  have  been  perfe6lly  convinced  of  the  Legality 
of  fuch  a  Proceeding  ;  and  conceived  themfelves  to  have  no 
Power  by  Law,  to  lay  fuch  a  general  Aflefment  on  the  Com- 
pany, without  their  Confent.  Wherefore,  after  much  De- 
bate, they  prevailed  on  their  Lordfhips,  to  permit  them  to 
proceed,  in  their  ufual  Method  of  voluntary  Subfcriptions. 
And  as  the  opponent  Fa6lion  had  been  loud  before  the  Lords 
of  the  Council,  and  prefled  much  the  fending  a  fpeedy  Sup- 
ply, thereby  endeavouring  to  infinuate  and  reflect  on  the 
Negligence  and  finifter  Views  of  the  Company,  a  Roll  of 
Subfcription  was  prepared  purpofely,  and  prefented  to  them, 
to  fubfcribe  by  themfelves  ;  and  Sir  Edward  Sackvil  earn- 
eftly  entreated  them,  to  be  liberal  and  exemplary  in  their 
Contributions,  fince  they  had  exprefled,  before  the  Council, 
fo  tender  a  Senfe  of  the  diftrefled  State  of  the  Colony.  But 
they  had  the  Confidence  to  withftand  fo  ftrong  a  Snare  •,  and 
the  Colony  was  obliged  to  the  other  Side  for  the  Supply,  as 
I  find  intimated,  in  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Deputy  Farrar^  fent 
at  the  fame  time,  in  the  Name  of  the  Council  and  Com- 
pany. However,  it  was  not  of  that  vaft  Ufe  and  Relief,  as 
was  imagined  or  pretended.  For,  as  the  Deputy  and  Com- 
pany had  judged,  the  Colony  had  gathered  in  their  Corn, 
before  it  could  poflibly  arrive.  But 


I 


Book  V.     The    History    of  VIRGINIA.  291 

But  notwithftanding  thefe  lowering  Profpefts,  and  this      '623. 

unpromifing  Afpe6l  of  their  Affairs,  the  Company  proceed- '~—'~y 

ed  chearfully  and  boldly  in  their  Defence.  And  therefore,  as  ^"'  ^''"'"^'^ 
foon  as  the  Commillioners  were  known,  they  deputed  Siryg,r*jfo^ 
Edward  Sackvil^  Sir  Robert  Killigreiu^  and  Sir  yohn  Da- 
vers^  to  wait  upon  them,  in  the  Company's  Name  ;  and 
to  declare  their  Joy  and  Satisfaction,  in  the  Commiilion's 
being  iffued.  And  they  very  earneftly  and  unanimoufly 
befought  them,  to  take  into  their  immediate  Confideration 
Captain  Butler?,  Information  to  his  Majefty,  entitled  ;  The 
un7na/l:ed  Face  of  the  Colony  in  Virginia  ;  which  had  given  a 
deadly  Wound  to  the  happy  Progrefs  and  Profperity  of  that 
Plantation.  So  that  until,  by  their  Wifdom  and  Integiity, 
the  Truth  fliould  be  difcovered,  and  the  World  again  pof- 
fefled  with  their  former  Hopes  and  good  Opinion  of  that 
Colony,  it  muft  undoubtedly  languifli,  if  not  fhortly  perifh, 
for  Want  of  thofe  daily  Supplies,  which  its  Reputation  a- 
lone  had  before  raifed,  in  great  Abundance.  But  I  do  not 
find,  that  the  Commiflioners  took  the  leaft  Notice,  or  did 
any  thing  in  Confequence,  of  this  juft  and  reafonable  Re- 
queft  ;  altho'  the  Company  urged  it  often,  as  a  Point  of 
great  Importance,  which  required  an  immediate  Examina- 
tion and  Dilpatch.  But  foon  after,  they  iffued  their  War- 
rant to  Mr.  Collingiuood^  the  Secretary,  and  to  all  other  the 
Clerks  and  Officers  of  the  Virginia  Company,  to  bring 
before  them,  to  the  Queft-Houfe,  adjoining  to  St.  Andrew^ 
Church  in  Holborn^  all  and  fingular  Letters-patent,  Pro- 
clamations, Commiffions,  Warrants,  Records,  Orders, 
Books,  Accounts,  Entries,  and  all  other  Notes  and  Wri- 
tings whatfoever,  in  their  Cuftody.  Hereupon  the  Com- 
pany appointed  a  Committee,  confifling  of  Sir  Rohert  Kil- 
ligreiu^  Sir  John  Davers^  Mr.  Herbert^  Mr.  Tomlyns^  Mr. 
White^  Mr.  Withers^  Mr.  Bland^  Mr.  Barber^  and  Mr. 
Berblock^  who  ftiould  all,  or  any  three  of  them,  with  the 
Secretary,  attend  the  Commiffioners,  from  time  to  time,  with 
the  Letters-patent,  Books  of  Accompt,  and  other  Writings. 
But  they  charged  them,  at  every  Rifing  of  the  Commif- 
fioners, to  bring  back  the  original  Letters-patent,  and  to 
leave  with  them  only  a  Copy  ;  which,  they  hoped  and  con- 
ceived, would  be  fufficient.  The  Commiffioners  were  like- 
wife  defired,  in  the  Company's  Name,  to  refpite  the  Deli- 
very of  their  Books  of  Account,  'till  their  Accomptant  had 
taken  Copies  of  them  ;  when  they  were,  together  with  all 
other  Writings  and  Records,  delivered  into  their  Hands,  and 
never  afterwards  returned  to  the  Company. 

Whilst  the  Company  urged  to  the  Commiffioners  an 
immediate  Enquiry  into  the  Truth  of  Ca])tain  Butler's  Al- 
legations, 


rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

egations,  they,  at  the  fame  time,  recommended  to  their 
View  and  Perufa],  as  a  thing  relative  to  that  Affair,  the 
S\T  Francis  Declaration  of  the  Council  for  Firginia  and  of  the  princi- 
vernor.  °  P^^  Afliftants  of  the  Somer-IJlayids  Company,  which  hath 
been  before  mentioned,  and  which  charged,  in  a  home  and 
open  Manner,  the  Earl  of  Warwick  and  his  Faction,  but 
particularly  Sir  Samuel  Argall  and  Captain  Butler^  with  ma- 
ny illegal  and  oppreilive  Pra6lices.  This,  I  prefume,  gave 
Occafion  to  a  Letter,  which  the  Company  foon  after  re- 
ceived from  the  King  ;  wherein  he  utterly  forbids,  that  any 
Complaints  fhould  be  brought  before  the  Commiflioners 
againft  any  Man,  in  the  Name  of  the  Council  or  Company, 
becaufe  that  Courfe  only  tended  to  Defamation,  and  to  raife 
more  Contention ;  and  becaufe  to  bring  Matters,  deter- 
mined by  the  Council  or  Company,  before  the  Commif- 
fioners,  was  to  preoccupate  the  Commiflioners  Judgments, 
or  elfe  to  oppofe  the  KQi  and  Opinion  of  the  Council  and 
Company,  to  the  A6i:  and  Opinion  of  the  Commiflioners. 
It  was  therefore  his  exprefs  Pleafure  and  Command,  that 
whofoever  would  exhibit  Complaints  againfl  any  Man,  ei- 
ther for  publick  Wrong  to  the  Company,  or  for  private 
Injuries  to  himfelf,  he  fhould  bring  the  fame  in  Writing, 
fubfcribed  with  his  Name,  to  the  CommifTioners,  who 
fhould  receive  the  Anfwer  thereto  in  Writing,  and  there- 
upon proceed,  as  they  fhould  fee  Caufe. 

What  was  the  End  or  Defign  of  fuch  an  Order  is  not 
eafily  conceived,  I  think  ;  unlefs  it  was  to  prevent  the  Com- 
pany from  adling  with  that  Unanimity  and  Agreement, 
which  it  plainly  appeared,  they  would,  and  which,  in  the 
Eyes  of  all  impartial  Men,  would  give  the  greater  Weight 
and  Authoritv  to  their  Proceedings.  And  where  the  Juflice 
was,  or  Legality,  of  forbidding  the  Company  to  profecute 
for  publick  Wrong  to  themjelves^  as  a  Body  corporate,  and 
to  leave  it  only  to  private  Men,  who  could  not  legally  do  it, 
without  being  firft  authorifed  and  impowered  by  the  Com- 
pany (and  then  it  became  their  Act  and  Deed)  is  to  me 
equally  myfterious  and  inconceiveable.  I  am  unwilling  to 
make  hard  and  uncharitable  Interpretations  ;  but  this  whole 
Affair  of  the  Commiflioners  appears  to  have  very  little  of  the 
Face  of  Juftice,  but  feems  to  have  been  fet  on  Foot  for  quite 
different  Ends  and  Purpofes. 

But  befides  this,  that  Letter  contained  another  exprefs 
Command  ;  That  no  Man,  of  what  Degree  or  Quality  fo- 
ever,  fhould  be  admitted  to  their  Courts  or  Committees, 
who,  befides  his  Freedom  and  Land,  had  not  fome  Men 
then,  or  lately  before,  planted  upon  his  Shares ;  or  that 
was  not,  at  that  time,  actually  engaged  in,  and  according- 


vernor. 


Book  V.      The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  293 

ly  purfued,  the  fending  of  Men  or  Supplies  over.  And  he  1623. 
farther  ordered,  if  any  other  prefumed  to  be  prefent  at  their  ^^■" — v— ^ 
Meetings,  that  they  fhould  be  proceeded  againft,  as  fa6lious  ^'''  ^''"""i 
and  feditious  Perfons.  This  was  Hkewife  a  manifeit  In-^Jf'l  °' 
fringement  of  their  Charters,  which  had  fpecified  the  dif- 
ferent Ways,  by  which  Men  fhould  become  free,  and  a6l 
as  Members  of  the  Company.  Being  therefore  much  ftag- 
gered  and  furprifed  at  both  thefe  Points,  they  refolved  to 
hold  no  more  Courts,  'till  the  King's  Pleafure  was  farther 
underftood.  To  this  End,  they  prefented  a  Petition  to  his 
Majefty  ;  in  Anfwer  to  which,  he,  in  efFe6l,  took  off  and 
reverfed  thofe  two  Prohibitions  and  Commands.  After 
which,  the  Company  again  proceeded,  as  a  Body  corporate, 
in  their  Bufinefs  before  the  Commiflioners  ;  and  they  laid 
before  them  their  Reafons  and  Exceptions  againfl:  Sir  Thomas 
Smith's  Accounts,  together  with  all  the  other  Declarations, 
Anfwers,  and  Writings,  which  had  been  drawn  up,  and  fo 
unanimoufly  agreed  to,  by  the  Committee  of  the  whole 
Company.  And  they  ftill  particularly  infifted  upon,  and 
ftrenuoufly  prefled,  the  expediting  Captain  Butler's  Affair, 
as  that  Bufinefs  was  the  moft  urgent,  and  moft  immediately 
hurtful  and  pernicious  to  the  Colony. 

But  what  the  Commiflioners  did,  what  Enquiries  they 
entered  upon,  and  what  Reports  they  made  to  his  Majefty, 
was  a  dead  Secret  to  the  Company  ;  who,  in  a  Letter  to 
the  Colony,  acknowledge  themfelves  to  be  entirely  in  the 
Dark,  as  to  what  was  pafllng,  or  what  was  intended.  At 
length,  after  long  waiting  for  the  Iffue  of  their  Enquiries 
and  Determinations,  Mr.  Deputy  Farrar^  with  fome  few 
more  of  the  Company,  were  called,  on  the  8th  of  OSiober^ 
before  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  who  made  fome 
Propofals  to  the  Deputy.  But  thefe  being  of  a  very  weighty 
and  important  Nature,  and  Mr.  Farrar  conceiving  himfelf 
to  have  no  Power  to  give  an  Anfwer  to  them,  they  were, 
at  his  Requeft,  drawn  up  into  an  Order  of  that  Board  ;  that 
fo  he  might,  under  that  Form,  prefent  them  to  the  Com- 
pany.    This  Order  of  Council  fet  forth  : 

That  his  Majefty  had  taken  into  his  princely  Confi- 
deration  the  diftrefl'ed  State  of  the  Colony  of  Virginia^  oc- 
cafioned,  as  it  feemed,  by  the  ill  Government  of  the  Com- 
pany :  That  this  could  not  well  be  remedied,  but  by  redu- 
cing the  Government  into  fewer  Hands,  near  the  Number 
of  thofe,  that  were,  in  the  firft  Patent,  appointed  :  That 
therein  efpecial  Provifion  fhould  be  made,  for  continuing 
and  preferving  the  Interefts  of  all  Adventurers  and  private 
Perfons  whatlbever  :  That  his  Majefty  had  therefore  re- 
folved, by  a  new  Charter,  to  appoint  a  Governor  and  twelve 

AflTiftants, 


294  "^he   History   of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

^6*3-     Afliftants,  to   be  refident  in    England^  to  whom  fhould  be 

^ v""^ committed  the  Government  of  the  Company  and  Colony: 

Sir  Francis -Y\^2iX.  the  faid  Govemor  and  Afliftants  ftiould  be  nominated 
vernor.  °' and  chofen,  for  the  firft  time,  by  his  Majefty  ;  and  that 
their  Eleftion  afterwards  fhould  be  in  the  following  Manner, 
^'/z.  the  Afliftants  ftiould  prefent  the  Names  of  three  to  his 
Majefty,  of  whom  he  fhould  nominate  one,  to  be  Gover- 
nor ;  and  the  Afliftants  themfelves  ftiould  be  chofen,  by  the 
major  Part  of  their  own  Body  for  the  time  being,  the  Names 
of  thofe  to  be  chofen  being  firft  prefented  to  the  King,  or 
the  Council  Board,  to  be  allowed  of,  or  difallowed,  by  his 
Majefty  ;  and  that  the  Governor,  and  fix  of  the  Afliftants, 
fhould  be  changed,  once  in  two  Years  :  That  there  ftiould 
alfo  be  refident  in  Virgmia^  a  Governor  and  twelve  Aflif- 
tants, to  be  nominated  by  the  Governor  and  Afliftants  in 
England^  they  firft  prefenting  their  Names  to  his  Majefty, 
or  the  Council  Board,  for  their  Allowance  or  Difallowance 
of  the  fame  :  And  that,  as  the  Governor  and  Afliftants, 
refident  in  Virginia^  ftiould  have  Relation  and  Dependence 
on  the  Governor  and  Afliftants  in  England^  fo  the  Gover- 
nor and  Afliftants  in  England^  fhould  have  Relation  and  De- 
pendence upon  the  Council  Board,  that  fo  all  Matters  of 
Importance  might  thereby  be  under  his  Majefty's  immediate 
Direction  at  that  Board  :  And  that  his  Majefty  further  pur- 
pofed,  to  make  the  like  Grants,  as  well  of  Lands,  as  of  other 
Franchifes  and  Benefits,  as  had  been  granted  in  the  former 
Charters  ;  with  Declaration,  that  for  fettling  and  eftablifli- 
ing  all  private  Interefts,  this  new  Company  fhould  confirm, 
or  grant  anew  to  all  Perfons,  the  like  Interefts,  as  they  en- 
joyed by  the  Grant,  Order,  or  Allowance  of  the  former 
Company.  And  therefore,  the  Deputy  and  the  reft  were, 
by  their  Lordftiips,  required,  to  afl^emble  a  Court  forthwith, 
to  refolve,  whether  the  Company  would  fubmit,  and  fur- 
render  their  former  Charters,  and  be  content  to  accept  a  new 
one,  with  the  aforefaid  Alterations  ;  and  they  were  com- 
manded to  return  their  Anfwer  with  all  Expedition,  his 
Majefty  being  determined,  in  Default  of  fuch  Submiflion, 
to  proceed  for  recalling  their  former  Charters,  in  fuch  Sort, 
as  to  him  fhould  feem  juft  and  meet. 

This  Order  of  Council  fo  ftruck  and  amazed  the  Com- 
pany, that,  as  if  they  diftrufted  their  own  Ears,  they  caufed 
it  to  be  read  over  three  feveral  times  ;  and  after  that,  no 
Man,  for  a  long  while,  fpoke  a  Word  to  it.  However, 
eight  of  the  Faction  of  Twenty-fix,  being  prefent  with  Sir 
Samuel  Ay-gall  at  their  Head,  moved  the  Company,  in  Con- 
formity to  their  Lordftiips  Order,  to  make  an  immediate 
Surrender  of  their  Charters  ;  but  far  the  major  Part  of  the 

Court, 


Book  V.      The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  295 

Court,  to   the  Number  of  an  hundred  and  twelve  Perfons,      '623. 

declared  refolutely  againft  it.     They  faid,  it  was  a  Matter  ^— '^ ' 

of  fuch  Weight  and  Confequence,  that  they  thought  them-^";.  ■^'■''"'^" 
felves  to  have  no  Power  to  give  an  Anfwer  to  it,  in  thatyg^^^^ 
ordinary  Court.  For  fuch  Courts  were,  by  their  Charters, 
only  permitted,  to  treat  of  cafual  and  particular  Occurren- 
ces of  lefs  Confequence  ;  but  all  weighty  Affairs,  and  par- 
ticularly all  things  relating  to  Government,  were  reftrained, 
by  the  precife  Words  of  their  Letters-patent,  to  Quarter 
Courts  only.  Wherefore,  whilft  their  prefent  Patents  were 
in  Force,  that  ordinary  Court  had  no  Authority,  to  deter- 
mine fuch  a  Matter  as  this,  being  of  the  higheft  and  moft 
important  Nature,  that  had  ever  been  propounded  to  them. 
To  which  it  was  added,  that,  in  Obedience  to  their  Char- 
ters, chey  had  never  taken  to  themfelves  the  Liberty,  to 
difpofe  of  fo  much  as  a  fingle  Share  of  Land,  but  in  their 
Quarter  Court  ;  and  they  conceived  themfelves  much  more, 
even  in  Confcience,  bound,  not  to  betray  their  Truft,  and 
fo  fuddenly  pafs  away  all  the  Rights  of  themfelves  and  the 
reft  of  their  ^numerous  Society,  and  of  all  the  Planters  in 
Virginia  alfo,  who  were  equally  interefted  with  them  in 
their  Letters-patent.  They  therefore  befought  their  Lord- 
fhips,  that  their  Anfwer  might,  upon  thefe  juft  Grounds, 
be  refpited  till  the  Quarter  Court ;  which,  being  the  19th 
of  November^  was  not  far  off;  and  againft  then,  they  fhould 
have  Leifure  to  confider  well  of  fo  weighty  a  Propofition. 
And  to  this  End,  they  ordered  a  very  large  and  particular 
Summons  to  be  given  to  all  the  Adventurers,  againft  that 
Day  ;  and  that  their  Officers  fhould  give  them  efpecial  No- 
tice of  the  Bufinefs,  then  to  be  treated  ;  and  defire  them, 
in  the  Company's  Name,  not  to  fail  to  be  prefent  ;  which 
if  they  did,  they  would  be  without  Excufe,  and  would  have 
no  Manner  of  Pretence,  to  complain  afterwards. 

This  Anfwer,  however  confonant  to  both  Law  and 
Reafon,  gave  no  Satisfaction  to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy 
Council  ;  who,  by  another  A&.  of  their  Board,  dated  the 
17th  of  the  fame  Month  of  OSlober^  declared  it  to  be  merely 
delatory.  Wherefore,  as  his  Majefty  expe6led  a  fpeedy 
Account  of  their  Proceedings  in  that  Bufinefs,  and  as  it  did 
likewife,  in  itfelf,  require  all  Expedition,  in  Regard  of  the 
Importance  and  Confequence  thereof  (which,  by  the  bye, 
was  an  odd  Reafon  for  being  hafty)  they  ordered,  and  ex- 
prefly  charged,  the  Deputy  and  the  reft,  to  affemble  them- 
felves again  immediately,  and  on  the  Monday  following, 
being  the  20th  of  the  faid  Month,  to  deliver  a  clear,  dire6l, 
and  final  Anfwer  to  that,  which  had  been  before  propound- 
ed, and  was  that  Day  reiterated  unto  them  :  viz.  Whether 
41  X  '  the 


296  r/6^   History   ^/  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.      the  Company  would  be   content,  to   fubmit  and    furrender 

^-"^v"""  their  former  Charters,  and   to  accept  a  new  one,  with  the 

Sir  Francis  Alterations,   mentioned   in    the   aforefaid   Adt    of  Council. 

vernor.    °'  -^""^   ^^e  Deputy   was  likewife    commanded,   to   propound 

the   Queftion  to   the  Company,  in  thofe  clear   and  precife 

Terms,  in  which  it  was  then  delivered. 

In  Obedience  to  this  Order  of  the  Privy  Council,  Mr. 
Farrar  called  an  extraordinary  Court ;  at  which,  by  rea- 
fon  of  the  Shortnefs  of  the  Warning,  there  were  only  fe- 
venty  Perfons  prefent.  And  having  propofed  the  Queftion 
to  them,  in  the  exprefs  Terms,  prefcribed  in  the  A61  of 
Council,  nine  Voices  only  were  for  fubmitting.  Sir  Thomas 
Wroth  being  added  to  the  former  eight.  But  all  the  reft 
being  ftrenuoufly  againft  the  Surrendry  of  their  Charters, 
an  Anfwer  was  accordingly  returned  to  their  Lordftiips. 

These  Proceedings,  which  ftruck  plainly  at  the  Root 
and  Foundation  of  all  the  Rights  and  Franchifes  of  both 
the  Company  and  Colony,  made  a  great  Noife,  and  natu- 
rally gave  the  Alarm  to  all  fuch,  as  were  any  way  deeply, 
or  immediately,  engaged  in  the  A6lion.  Some  Ships  there- 
fore, which  were  preparing  to  fail,  were  ftopped,  till  the 
Ifliie  and  Intent  of  thefe  A6ls  of  Power  were  farther  feen 
into  and  underftood.  But  the  Lords  of  the  Council,  being 
apprifed  of  this  ill  Confequence,  made  another  Order  of 
their  Board,  on  the  20th  of  O^oher^  importing  :  That  their 
Lordfhips  were  that  Day  informed,  there  was  fo  great  a 
Difcouragement  among  many  of  the  Virginia  Adventurers, 
on  Account  of  the  intended  Reformation  and  Change  of 
the  Government,  as  rendered  them  fearful  to  profecute  their 
Adventures  ;  fo  that  it  would  probably  occafion  fome  Stop 
to  thofe  Ships,  which  were  then  ready  freighted,  and  bound 
to  that  Country.  That,  altho'  their  Lordftiips  much  mar- 
velled, that  any  Man  fhould  fo  far  miftake  their  Meaning, 
confidering  the  Declarations,  that  had  been  made  at  that 
Board,  viva  voce^  as  alfo  by  an  Aft  of  Council,  and  other- 
wife,  yet  for  the  better  fatisfying  of  those,  who,  through 
their  own  Error,  or  the  falfe  Suggeftions  of  others,  had  con- 
ceived any  fuch  Fear  or  Difcouragement,  they  thereby  a- 
gain  declared,  that  there  was  no  other  Intention,  than 
merely  and  only  the  Reformation  and  Change  of  the  prefent 
Government  ;  whereof  his  Majefty  had  feen  fo  many  bad 
EfFe6ts,  as  would  endanger  the  whole  Plantation,  if  it  was 
not  corrected  and  amended  :  That  neverthelefs,  for  fo  much 
as  concerned  the  private  Intereft  of  every  Man,  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Royal  Care  was  fuch,  that  no  Man  fliould  receive 
any  Prejudice  in  his  Property,  but  fhould  have  his  Eftate 
fully  and  wholly  conferved   to   him,  and  if  any  thing  was 

found 


BookV,      Be   History   ?/   VIRGINIA. 

found  defe<ftlve,  better  fecured  ;  fo  that  none  needed  to  ap- 
prehend any  fuch  Fears  or  Inconveniencies,  but  contrariwife' 
chearfully  proceed.  It  was  therefore  ordered  by  their  Lord-^'''  ^''"""^ 
fhips,  and  thought  fit  to  be  publifhed  to  the  Company,  that  ■''"'  °" 
it  was  his  Majefly's  abfolute  Command,  that  the  Ships,  then 
intended  for  Virginia^  and  in  fome  Readinefs  to  go,  Ihould 
be  forthwith  difpathced  away,  for  the  Relief  of  the  Colony 
and  Good  of  the  Plantation,  without  any  farther  Hindrance 
or  Stop. 

What  were  the  Proceedings  of  the  Commiflioners  all 
this  while,  I  cannot  tell  ;  nor  whether  his  Majefty  found 
fufficient  Matter,  as  he  thought,  from  their  Reports,  to 
fupprefs  the  Company,  and  revoke  their  Charters.  But  the 
better  to  fortify  this  Defign,  and  to  raife  Matter  of  Com- 
plaint and  Accufation,  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  on 
the  24th  of  OSloher^  appointed  'John  Harvey^  Efq;  (after- 
wards well  known,  as  Governor  of  Virginia^  by  the  Title 
of  Sir  "John  Harvey^  John  Pory^  (formerly  Secretary,  and  a 
noted  Tool  of  the  Earl  of  WarwicF^)  Abraham  Pierfey^ 
Samuel  Matthews^  and  John  Jefferfon^  Gentlemen,  to  be 
their  Commiflioners,  to  make  particular  and  diligent  En- 
quiry, touching  divers  Matters,  which  concerned  the  State 
of  the  Colony  of  Virginia.  And  that  they  might  the  better 
perform  the  Orders  they  had  received,  and  difcharge  the 
Truft  committed  to  them,  their  Lordfhips  ftriftly  willed 
and  required  the  Governor  and  Council  here,  to  yield  them 
their  beft  Aid  and  Afliftance,  upon  all  Occafions,  and  in 
all  Matters,  wherein  they  fhould  find  Caufe  to  make  Ufe 
of  the  fame.  The  three  A6ts  of  Council  alfo,  juft  before 
recited,  were  committed  to  Mr.  Pory.,  and  particularly  the 
laft,  to  be  publifhed  in  fuch  Places  in  Virginia.,  as  he  fhould 
judge  fit,  for  the  Quieting  and  Satisfaction  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants here.  Captain  Harvey  indeed  and  Mr.  Pory  feem,  to 
have  been  the  mofl  a6i:ive,  and  mofl  depended  upon,  in 
this  Bufinefs  ;  and  therefore  Captain  Smith.,  who  had  pro- 
bably never  (e.&n  their  Commiflion,  and  knew  nothing  of 
the  others,  only  mentions  two,  as  fent  upon  this  Errand. 
As  for  Mr.  Jefferfon.,  he  never  appeared  in  it,  but  feems 
all  along  a  hearty  Friend  to  the  Company,  and  their  prefent 
Conftitution  and  Government.  Befides,  he  was  prefent 
at  their  Courts  in  England.,  at  fuch  times,  as  were  incon- 
fiflent  with  his  profecuting  that  CommifHon  in  Virginia. 
And  Captain  Matthews  exprefly  joins  with  the  General  Af- 
fembly,  in  their  Oppofite  Reprefentations  to  his  Majefly, 
as  will  be  hereafter  related. 

Things  being  laid  in  this  Train,  foon  after,  on  the 
1 0th  of  Novetnber.,  Mr.   Deputy-Treafurer  Farrar.,  and  di- 

X   2  vers 


vernor. 


298  The  History   of  VIRGINIA.        Book  V. 

^623-  vers  others  of  the  Company,  were  ferved  with  a  Procefs  of 
"""^  ■■•■  ^  ^0  Warrajito  out  of  the  King's  Bench  ;  to  fhew,  by  what 
^/^'"'^"'''^  Authority,  they  claimed  to  be  a  Body  corporate,  and  to 
^  '  °  have  and  enjoy  thofe  Liberties  and  Privileges,  which  they 
did.  The  Company  chearfully  acknowledged  this  to  be  a 
fair  and  legal  Manner  of  proceeding  ;  and  they  defired  the 
Defendants,  to  take  efpecial  Care  of  the  Bufinefs,  as  being 
the  Company's  Caufe,  altho'  profecuted  in  particular  Names  ; 
and  as  their  Charter  was  called  in  Queftion  by  it,  which, 
they  conceived,  was  therefore  to  be  pleaded.  As  for  the 
Charge  of  this  Suit  (which,  it  was  judged,  would  be  very 
great)  it  was  agreed,  that  it  fliould  be  borne  by  the  Com- 
pany's general  Stock.  Wherefore  it  was  unanimoufly  or- 
dered, that  whatever  Difburfements  fhould  be  made  by  the 
Defendants,  or  others,  in  the  Procefs  of  the  Suit  (provi- 
ded, it  were  for  the  Company's  Caufe  and  Defence,  and 
not  for  Matters,  that  in  the  IfTue  would  fall  upon  particu- 
lar Perfons,  or  their  Actions)  they  fhould  all  be  duly  re- 
paid, and  made  good  by  the  Company.  But  the  entertain- 
ing Counfel  and  Attornies  was  wholly  left  and  entrufted  to 
the  Choice  and  Care  of  the  Defendants. 

But  for  this  Caufe,  fmce  another  Courfe  had  been  taken 
to  bring  the  Bufinefs  to  a  legal  Trial,  by  the  Attorney  Ge- 
neral's profecuting  a  ^uo  Warranto  againft  the  Company, 
they  refufed,  at  their  Quarter  Court  on  the  19th  oi  Novem- 
ber^ to  enter  into  any  Confideration  about  the  Matter.  But 
that  Court,  with  a  general  Unanimity,  (feven  only  difTent- 
ing)  folemnly  ratified  and  confirmed  all  the  Proceedings  of 
the  former  Courts,  which  had  refufed  to  furrender  up  their 
Charters.  And  for  the  better  Management  of  fo  weighty  an 
Affair,  which  would  require  often  and  ferious  Confultation, 
a  Grand  Committee  was  appointed,  to  dire6t  all  Matters 
appertaining  thereto  ;  and  the  Deputy  had  Authority  given 
him,  at  all  times  to  call  them  together,  or  fuch  a  Part  of 
them,  as  he  fhould  think  proper.  And  that  the  Company 
might  be  the  better  enabled  to  prepare  their  Proofs,  and 
make  good  their  Defence,  a  Petition  was  ordered  to  be  de- 
livered to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  for  reftoring  their 
Books  and  Writings  ;  which  had  now,  for  fome  time,  been 
in  theirs  and  the  Commiflioners  Hands.  But  Mr.  Bing 
faid,  let  them  make  as  many  Petitions  as  they  pleafe,  they 
fhould  as  foon  have  an  Halter,  as  have  their  Writings  ; 
which  gave  fuch  univerfal  and  juft  Offence,  that  Complaint 
was  made  thereof  to  the  Lords  of  the  Council.  But  I  do 
not  find,  that  any  Right  was  done  them,  for  fo  atrocious 
an  Infult  and  Affront  on  the  Court,  or  that  they  ever  af- 
terwards recovered  their  Records. 

But 


BookV.       rhe   History    ^/VIRGINIA.  299 

But  foon  after,  on  the  8th  of  December^  the  more  to  1623. 
perplex  and  difcourage  the  Company,  and  to  opprefs  thofe  ^-— v^— ' 
private  Members,  who  were  Defendants  in  this  Suit,  Alder- ^'''  ^''"""^ 
man  yohnfon^  with  others  of  his  Faction,  prefented  a  Pe-  ygmor  " 
tition  to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  fignifying ; 
That  they  had  always  been,  and  ftill  were  ready,  according 
to  his  Majefty's  exprefs  Will  and  Pleafure,  to  render  up 
their  Charters  to  his  Majefty's  Difpofal  :  But  forafmuch  as 
Mr.  Nicholas  Farrar^  and  fome  others,  withftood  the  Sur- 
rendry,  and  the  better  to  free  themfelves  from  the  Charge 
of  the  Suit,  and  to  enable  them  to  oppofe  his  Majefty, 
they  had  lately  made  an  Order  of  their  Court,  that  the 
Expence  of  defending  that  Caufe  fhould  be  borne  by  the 
Company's  publick  Stock  ;  they  therefore  humbly  prayed, 
that  it  might  be  ordered  by  their  Lordfhips,  that  the  Charge 
of  thofe  Suits  fhould  be  borne  by  the  Defendants  them- 
felves, and  no  Part  by  the  Company's  publick  Stock,  nor 
by  the  Goods  of  any  of  the  Adventurers  or  Planters,  that 
fhewed  themfelves  conformable  to  his  Majefty's  Pleafure. 
And  they  further  befought  their  Lordfhips,  to  order,  for 
better  AlTurance  in  this  Point,  that  all  fuch  Goods,  as 
fhould  thereafter  be  imported  for  the  General  Company, 
fhould  be  fequeftered  in  the  Cuftom  Houfe,  till  their  Lord- 
fhips farther  Order,  for  difpofing  thereof  to  the  Ufe  and 
Benefit  of  the  Plantation. 

This  laft  Claufe  was  purpofely  aimed  and  defigned, 
to  deprive  the  Deputy  and  his  Brother,  with  fome  others, 
(to  whom  the  Company  had  made  over  all  fuch  Goods,  as 
Security  for  confiderable  Sums  of  Money,  now  due  to 
them)  of  ever  having  it  in  their  Power,  to  get  their  faid 
Debts.  Their  Lordfhips  therefore,  being  apprifed  of  this, 
would  not  concur  with  the  Alderman  in  a  Defign,  fo  plain- 
ly fraudulent  and  iniquitous.  However,  they  made  an 
Order  of  their  Board,  that  all  they,  who  were  queftioned 
by  the  ^0  Warranto^  fhould  make  their  Defence,  at  their 
own  private  Charge,  without  any  Help  or  Expence  from 
the  publick  Stock  ;  and  that  fuch,  as  were  willing  to  fur- 
render  their  Charters,  fhould  be  difcharged  from  all  Con- 
tribution towards  the  Expence  of  the  faid  Suit,  both  in 
their  Perfons  and  Eftates.  And  this  perhaps  will  be  thought 
fufHciently  hard  and  opprellive.  But  however,  confidering 
the  noble  Fortunes  and  generous  Difpofitions  of  the  Earl  of 
Southampton  and  many  others  of  the  Company,  who  entire- 
ly agreed  to,  and  abetted  the  Proceedings  of  the  Courts 
and  Deputy,  the  Expence  was,  in  all  Probability,  made 
very  eafy,  and  did  not  fall  upon  the  Defendants  fo  heavi- 
ly, as  was  hereby  defigned.     And  I  cannot  here  forbear  re- 

X  3  marking 


The   History   ^/VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

marking  the  Generofity  and  publick  Spirit  of  the  Deputy, 
and  other  Merchants  and  Citizens.  For  the  Noblemen, 
S^  Francis  ^^^  other  Gentlemen  of  capital  Fortune  and  Figure,  were 
venfor.  °' ^lot  returned  out  of  the  Country,  when  the  ^o  War- 
ranto was  ifliied  ;  fo  that  it  was  ferved  entirely  upon  Mer- 
chants and  Citizens,  who  neverthelefs  bravely  undertook 
the  Defence  of  the  Company,  at  the  Rifk  of  their  own 
Fortunes.  And  this  was  the  more  meritorious  then,  as 
the  Rights  of  the  Crown,  and  the  Liberties  of  the  Subje6t, 
were  not  fo  well  limited  and  underftood  at  that  time,  as 
they  now  are  ;  but  the  little  Finger  of  Regal  Power  was 
fuppofed  two  heavy,  for  the  Loins  of  any  private  Man  to 
bear.  To  which  may  be  added,  that  A61:s  of  Power,  at 
that  Juncture,  ran  very  high,  and  were  plainly  attempted 
to  be  carried  ftill  higher  ;  and  the  Deputy  and  Company 
had  no  Reafon  to  expe6l  any  Favour,  but  had  found  from 
manifold  Experience,  that  all  Advantages,  even  beyond 
what  was  ftriftly  fair  and  legal,  would  be  taken  againft  them. 
It  will  alfo  doubtlefs  feem  ftrange  to  many  Perfons,  that 
the  Privy  Council  fhould  affume  to  themfelves  fuch  a  Ju- 
dicature, as  thus  arbitrarily  to  difpofe  of  Men's  Fortunes, 
and  load  a  {tv^  private  Perfons  with  the  Expence  of  defend- 
ing the  publick  Caufe  of  the  Company,  even  againft  the 
Company's  Will  and  Defire.  But  to  clear  this  Point,  it 
muft  be  known,  that  the  Privy  Council  of  that  time  af- 
fumed  a  moft  extraordinary  Power  and  Jurifdi6lion,  and 
were  plainly  drawing  into  their  Hands  all  the  Parts  of  Go- 
vernment ;  or  perhaps  to  fpeak  more  properly,  the  King, 
through  them,  was  endeavouring  to  draw  them  into  his 
own  Hands.  And  this,  as  I  take  it,  was  the  Occafion  of 
a  great  and  very  dangerous  Error  in  the  Conftitution  of  this 
Colony.  For  as  our  Council  was  fettled  and  conftituted  at 
the  Time,  that  the  Privy  Council's  Authority  was  ftrained 
to  fuch  a  Height,  there  was  perhaps  too  great  a  Power  af- 
figned  to  them.  I  fpeak  freely,  and  I  hope,  without  Of- 
fence ;  for  what  I  mean,  is  fimply  this.  Our  Council  a6l 
in  a  double  Capacity  :  Firft,  as  his  Majefty's  Council  of 
State,  from  which  all  A6ls  of  Power  and  Government  iflue  ; 
and  fecondly,  as  the  fupreme  Judicature  of  the  Colony, 
and  the  laft  Interpreters  of  Law.  Now,  if  the  Council 
fhould  exert  any  A61  of  Power  againft  a  Man,  and  he  fliould 
appeal  from  it,  the  Caufe  muft  be  brought  before  the  fame 
Perfons  again  in  the  General  Court,  who  would  be  natu- 
rally led  to  fupport  their  own  hOt.  But  in  England^  the 
Cafe  is  quite  different.  For  ftiould  the  Privy  Council  ex- 
ercife  any  A61:  of  Power  upon  the  Subje6l  there,  he  may 
appeal   from    them,   to    the    Courts    in    Wejim'injhr-Hall ; 


w 


here 


BookV.     rhe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

where  the  Caufe  muft  be  determined  by  the  Law,  which  is 
always  impartial  and  unbiafled.  So  that  all  Adis  of  Power 
there,  are  expofed  to  an  immediate  and  fevere  Check  from  ^"'  ■^'■^""^ 
the  Law.  And  indeed  this  is  the  great  Beauty  and  Strength  ve^nor 
of  all  free  Conftitutions  of  Government,  to  have  all  their 
Parts,  but  moffc  efpecially  the  higheft  and  moft  dangerous 
to  Liberty,  continually  under  the  Check  and  Coercion  of  . 
the  Law.  But  if  we  confider  the  many  Infirmities  of  hu- 
man Nature  and  Contingencies  of  human  Governments, 
the  Charms  and  Allurements  of  Ambition  and  the  ftrange 
grafping  and  infatiable  Nature  of  Power,  the  natural  Pride 
and  Peremptorinefs  of  Men  in  Authority,  their  falfe  Shame 
of  owning  themfelves  in  the  Wrong,  and  Pronenefs  to  de- 
fend and  perfift  in  their  Errors,  together  with  the  natural 
and  perpetual  Conteft  between  Liberty  and  Power,  this 
muft,  I  think,  be  acknowledged,  to  be  a  very  great  and 
material  Defe6l  in  our  Conftitution.  It  is  true,  there  are 
not  perhaps  any  great  Inconveniences  felt  from  this  at  pre- 
fent,  at  leaft  that  I  know  of;  which  I  fpeak  not,  with  In- 
tent to  flatter  our  prefent  Government  or  Governors  :  For 
I  flatter  no  Man.  But  however,  altho'  the  Sword  did  not 
actually  fall  upon  the  Sicilian  Sycophant,  yet  no  Perfon,  I 
believe,  would  chufe  to  be  in  his  Situation,  and  have  a 
Sword  perpetually  hanging  over  his  Head  by  a  Hair.  Who- 
ever therefore  fhould  contrive  and  effe61:  an  Alteration  in 
this  dangerous  Point,  he  fhould  have  my  Suffrage  for  a  Sta- 
tue, or  any  other,  the  moft  honourable,  or  moft  beneficial 
Reward,  for  fo  fignal  a  Service  to  the  Country.  But  to 
return  from  this  Digreflion. 

Besides  the  Petition,  formerly  recited,  Alderman 
'Johnfon^  being  much  galled  by  the  Company's  home  An- 
swers and  Expofure  of  his  and  Sir  Thomas  Smithes  Con- 
duct, drew  up  another  Writing,  under  the  Title  of;  A 
Declaration  of  the  profperous  Ejiate  of  the  Colony^  during 
Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Time  of  Government.  In  this,  fubfcribed 
by  himfelf.  Sir  Samuel  Jrgall.,  and  Mr.  Wrote.,  he  faid : 
That  notwithftanding  the  many  difaftrous  Accidents,  to 
which  Enterprifes  of  that  Nature,  efpecially  in  their  In- 
fancy, are  fubjeif,  yet  it  pleafed  God,  fo  to  blefs  their  La- 
bours and  Endeavours,  who  were  then  employed,  that  in 
the  firft  twelve  Years,  during  all  which  Time  Sir  Thoinas 
Smith  was  Treafurer  and  Governor  of  the  Company,  with 
the  Expence  of  feventy  thoufand  Pounds,  or  thereabouts, 
brought  in  for  the  moft  part  by  voluntary  Adventurers,  be- 
ing a  great  many  of  them  Sir  Thomas\  near  Friends  and 
Relations,  and  for  his  Sake  joining  in  the  Bufinefs,  and 
with  the  Help  and  Ufe  of  a  very  few  of  his  Majefty's  Sub- 

X  4  je<^s, 


302  'T:he  History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623-     je6ts,  and  thofe  moftly  People  of  the  meaneft  Rank,  a  large 

^ Y 'and  very  fpacious  Part  of  the  Country  was  fully  difcover- 

Sir  Francis  ^^  j.}^g  Coafts,  Havens,  Ports,  Creeks,  and  Rivers  thereof 
vemM  perfeftly  known  ;  the  moft  commodious  Places  of  Strength, 
and  for  Conveniency  of  Habitation,  fele6ted  and  made 
Choice  of;  thofe  Places  partly  recovered,  or  procured  from 
the  Savages,  and  partly  with  infinite  Labour,  being  gene- 
rally overfpread  with  Wood,  cleared,  enclofed,  and  culti- 
vated ;  many  Houfes,  Barns,  and  Forts  built  ;  Churches, 
Bridges,  and  Storehoufes,  with  all  other  publick  and  ne- 
cefl'ary  Works,  eredied  ;  not  lefs,  as  he  judges,  than  a 
thoufand  Englijh^  when  Sir  Thomas  Smith  left  the  Govern- 
ment, being  there  inhabiting,  with  Plenty  of  Corn,  Cattle, 
Swine,  Poultry,  and  other  good  Provifions,  to  feed  and 
nourifh  them  :  That  there  was  a  competent  Number  of 
able  and  fufficient  Minifters,  to  inftruil:  them  ;  worthy  and 
expert  Commanders,  Captains,  and  Officers,  to  direct  and 
govern  them  ;  and  Store  of  Arms  and  Ammunition,  to  de- 
fend them  :  That  divers  Staple  Commodities,  befides  To- 
bacco, were  found  out,  at  the  prefent  to  encourage,  and 
in  procefs  of  time  to  enrich  them ;  Barks,  Pinnaces,  Shal- 
lops, Barges,  and  Boats,  built  in  the  Country,  the  better 
to  accommodate  and  fecure  them  :  That  the  Natives  were 
in  fo  awful  a  League  and  Amity  with  them,  that  many  of 
thofe  Heathens  voluntarily  yielded  themfelves  Subjects  and 
Servants  to  our  moft  gracious  Sovereign  ;  and  priding  them- 
felves in  that  Title,  paid,  together  with  moft  of  the  reft,  a 
Yearly  Contribution  of  Corn,  for  Suftentation  of  the  Co- 
lony ;  and  they  were  kept  in  fuch  good  Refpe6l  and  Corre- 
fpondency,  that  they  became  mutually  helpful  and  profita- 
ble, each  to  other  :  That  to  this  Growth  of  Perfection 
was  that  Plantation  advanced,  even  in  the  firft  twelve 
Years ;  the  Affairs  thereof  being,  with  great  Unanimity, 
Moderation,  Integrity,  and  Judgment,  chiefly  dire6f:ed  by 
Sir  Thomas  Smith  ;  and  the  Accompts  of  Monies,  received 
and  difburfed,  being  audited  upon  Oath,  by  Men  of  Credit 
and  Reputation,  without  all  Exception. 

The  Commiffioners  were  ftill  fitting;  and  the  Com- 
pany, being  wearied  with  long  waiting  for  the  IfTue  of 
their  Labours,  appointed  their  Grand  Committee,  to  prefs 
them  to  make  fome  Report  to  the  Lords  of  the  Council, 
what  they  had  done  in  the  feveral  Affairs,  brought  before 
them  by  the  Company  and  their  Opponents.  For  they 
faid,  they  greatly  depended,  that  the  Fairnefs  and  Upright- 
nefs  of  their  Proceedings  would  be  thence  manifelted  to 
all  the  World.  And  they  were  likewife  entreated,  to  re- 
quire  Sir   Thomas  Smithy   either  to   fhew   fufficient   Caufe, 

why 


Book.  V.      rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

why  he  fhould  not  pay  the  eight  hundred  Pounds,  found 
againft  him  on  the  firft  two  Heads  of  Exception  againft  his 
Accounts  ;  or  elfe,  that  he  might  be  compelled  to  pay  the  ^"'  ^''^'""^ 
fame,  as  the  Company  was  now  in  great  Want  of  Money,  vcrnor  °' 
But  I  cannot  difcover,  that  the  Commiflioners,  who  were, 
properly  fpeaking,  a  Committee  of  Secrecy,  ever  did  any 
thing  in  either  of  thefe  Points. 

Whilst  Things  were  in  this  Pofture  in  England,  the 
Colony  in  Virginia  had  recovered  a  tolerably  eafy  and  com- 
fortable State  of  their  Affairs.  Their  Health,  which  had 
been  much  affected  by  the  Famine,  and  by  the  Hardfhips 
and  Inconveniences,  they  underwent  by  being  driven  from 
their  Habitations,  was  now  well  reftored  ;  and  the  Famine 
itfelf  entirely  relieved  by  a  plentiful  Crop  of  Corn.  Having 
likewife,  by  pretending  Peace  and  Friendfhip,  come  to  the 
Knowledge  of  the  Indians  principal  Places  of  Refidence,  they 
had  cut  up  and  deftroyed  their  Corn,  when  it  was  too  late 
for  them  to  have  another  Crop ;  and  by  a  fuccefsful  Attack, 
they  had  flain  a  great  Number  of  them,  among  whom  were 
fome  of  their  Kings,  and  feveral  of  their  greateft  War- 
Captains  and  Commanders  ;  of  which  Opechancanough  was 
hoped  to  be  one.  For  the  Stratagem  was  chiefly  aimed  at 
him,  and  things,  as  they  thought,  fo  well  laid,  that  he 
could  fcarce  poffibly  efcape  the  Snare.  The  Governor 
alfo  went  himfelf,  this  Year,  in  Perfon  into  Patowmack 
River,  and  took  a  full  Revenge  upon  the  Pafcoticons,  who 
had  flain  Captain  Spilman ;  putting  many  to  the  Sword, 
and  burning  their  Houfes,  with  a  prodigious  Quantity  of 
Corn,  which  they  had  conveyed  into  the  Woods,  and  the 
Englijh  were  not  able  to  bring  to  their  Boats.  And  he 
iffued  Commiffions  to  Captain  JVilUam  Pierce,  Captain  of 
his  Guard  and  Lieutenant-Governor  of  fames-City,  to  go 
againft  the  Chickahominies ;  to  Captain  Nathaniel  Weji,  to 
go  againft  the  Appamatocks  and  the  Taux-Wyanokes ;  to 
Captain  Samuel  Matthews,  againft  the  Taux-Powhatans ; 
and  to  Captain  William  "Tucker,  Commander  of  Kicquotan  and 
thofe  lower  Parts  of  the  Country,  to  go  againft  the  Nand- 
famonds  and  IVarrafqueakes ;  all  which  Parties  fell  upon 
them  the  very  fame  Day,  the  23d  of  "July,  with  vaft  Spoil 
to  their  Corn  and  Habitations,  and  no  fmall  Slaughter. 
And  a  Week  after.  Captain  Maddifon  marched  againft  the 
great  TVyanokes,  and  Captain  Tucker  made  a  fecond  Expedi- 
tion to  Nandfamond. 

But   in   the   Midft  of  thefe  Tumults  and  Alarms,  the 
Mufes  were  not  filent.      For  at  this  time,  Mr.  George  San- 
dys, the  Company's  Treafurer  of  Virginia,  made  his  Tranf- 
lation  of  Ovid's  Metamorphofes,  a  very  laudable  Performance 
42  for 


304  T6e   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1623.  for  the  Times.     In  his  Dedication  of  that  Piece  to  King 

' Y '  Charles  I.  he  tells  him,  that  it  was  limned  by  that  imper- 

S'lr  Francis  fg£^  Light,  which  was  fnatched  from  the  Hours  of  Night 
vernor.    °'  ^"^  Repofe.     For  the  Day  was  not  his  own,  but  dedicated 

to  the  Service  of  his  Father  and  himfelf ;  and  had  that  Ser- 
vice proved  as  fortunate,  as  it  was  faithful,  in  him,  as  well 
as  others  more  worthy,  they  had  hoped,  before  the  Revo- 
lution of  many  Years,  to  have  prefented  his  Majefty  with 
a  rich  and  well-peopled  Kingdom.  But  as  things  had  turn- 
ed, he  had  only  been  able  to  bring  from  thence  himfelf 
and  that  Compofition,  which  needed  more  than  a  fingle 
Denization.  For  it  was  doubly  a  Stranger,  being  fprung 
from  an  ancient  Roman  Stock,  and  bred  up  in  the  new 
World,  of  the  Rudenefs  whereof  it  could  not  but  partici- 
pate ;  efpecially  as  it  was  produced  among  Wars  and  Tu- 
mults ;  inftead  of  under  the  kindly  and  peaceful  Influences 
of  the  Mufes. 

1624.  The  Beginning  of  the  next  Year  1624,  Captain  Har- 
vey and  Mr.  Pory  arrived,  as  Commiflioners  from  the  Privy 
Council ;  and  the  26th  of  jfanuary^  Warrants  were  iffued 
for  fummoning  a  General  Aflembly.  However  this  Affem- 
bly  was  not  called,  at  the  Commiflioners  Motion  or  Re- 
queft.  For  they  kept  their  Commiflion  fecret  from  the 
Colony,  and  did  every  thing,  they  could,  to  conceal  their 
Powers  and  Defigns.  The  King  alfo  and  the  Privy  Council 
had,  the  lafl:  Year,  given  very  ftri(£l  and  menacing  Orders 
to  the  Company,  and  to  all  private  Adventurers,  to  write 
nothing  to  Virginia^  concerning  the  Differences,  then  fub- 
fifling  among  them  ;  becaufe,  as  they  faid,  it  would  give 
great  Difcouragement  to  the  Planters,  and  bring  Prejudice 
to  the  Colony.  To  this  End,  the  Privy  Council  had  often 
perufed,  and  angrily  returned,  the  Company's  general  Let- 
ters, before  they  could  be  formed  entirely  to  their  Liking  ; 
and  they  had  taken  all  Methods,  to  intercept  and  prevent 
any  Accounts  going  from  private  Hands.  But  notwith- 
Itanding  thefe  Precautions,  the  Colony  was,  by  this  time, 
well  informed,  of  what  had  paffed  in  England;  and  Copies 
of  the  feveral  Writings  had  been  fent  over  to  them  efpe- 
cially of  Alderman  fohnfon'^  Declaration  of  the  profperous 
Eftate  of  the  Colony,  during  Sir  Thomas  Smiths  Govern- 
ment, and  of  Captain  Butler's,  Information  to  his  Majefty. 
For  thofe  Papers  related  more  particularly  to  them,  as  be- 
ing upon  the  Spot,  and  therefore  the  beft  Judges  of  the 
Truth  or  Falfhood  of  the  feveral  Matters,  therein  alledged. 
Wherefore,  when  the  General  Aflembly  met,  which  was 
the  14th  of  February^  the  firft  thing,  they  entered  upon, 
was  the  Confideration  of  thofe  two  Pieces  ;  and  by  the  20th 

of 


BookV.       rbe   History   of   VIRGINIA.  305 

of  the  fame  Month,  they  had  drawn  up  Anfwers  to  them.      ^624. 
Their  Anfwer  to  the  Alderman's  Declaration  fet  forth  :         ' y ' 

That  holding  it  a  Sin  againft  God  and  their  own  Suf-^"'  ^''^"^^ 
ferings,  to  permit  the  World  to  be  abufed  with  falfe  Reports,  ^g^^n^'or 
and  to  give  to  Vice  the  Reward  of  Virtue,  They,  in  the 
Name  of  the  whole  Colony  of  Virginia^  in  their  General 
Affembly  met,  many  of  them  having  been  Eye-witnefTes 
and  Sufferers  in  thofe  Times,  had  framed,  out  of  their 
Duty  to  the  Country,  and  Love  to  Truth,  the  following 
Anfwer  to  the  Praifes  given  to  Sir  Thomas  Smith''?,  Govern- 
ment, in  the  faid  Declaration. 

They  averred,  that,  in  thofe  twelve  Years  of  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith's  Government,  the  Colony  for  the  moft  part, 
remained  in  great  Want  and  Mifery,  under  moft  fevere 
and  cruel  Laws,  which  were  fent  over  in  Print,  and  were 
contrary  to  the  exprefs  Letter  of  the  King's  moft  gracious 
Charters,  and  as  mercilefly  executed  here,  oftentimes  with- 
out Trial  or  Judgment :  That  the  Allowance  for  a  Man, 
in  thofe  Times,  was  only  eight  Ounces  of  Meal  and  half  a 
Pint  of  Peafe  a  Day,  both  the  one  and  the  other  being 
moldy,  rotten,  full  of  Cobwebbs  and  Maggots,  loathfome 
to  Man,  and  not  fit  for  Beafts  ;  which  forced  many  to  fly 
to  the  Savage  Enemy  for  Relief,  who,  being  again  taken, 
were  put  to  fundry  Kinds  of  Death,  by  hanging,  fhooting, 
breaking  upon  the  Wheel,  and  the  like  :  That  others  were 
forced,  by  Famine,  to  filch  for  their  Bellies  ;  of  whom  one, 
for  ftealing  two  or  three  Pints  of  Oatmeal,  had  a  Bodkin 
thruft  through  his  Tongue,  and  was  chained  to  a  Tree, 
till  he  ftarved  :  That  if  a  Man,  through  Sicknefs,  had  not 
been  able  to  work,  he  had  no  Allowance  at  all,  and  fo  con- 
fequently  periftied :  That  many  through  thefe  Extremi- 
ties, dug  Holes  in  the  Earth,  and  there  hid  themfelves,  till 
they  famiftied  :  That  they  could  not,  for  thofe  their  Mife- 
ries,  blame  their  Commanders  here  ;  for  their  Suftenance 
was  to  come  from  England^  and  had  they  given  them  bet- 
ter Allowance,  they  muft  have  perifhed  in  general :  That 
their  Scarcity  fometimes  was  fo  lamentable,  that  they  were 
conftrained  to  eat  Dogs,  Cats,  Rats,  Snakes,  Toadftools, 
Horfe-hides,  and  what  not  ?  That  one  Man,  out  of  the 
Mifery  he  endured,  killed  his  Wife,  and  powdered  her  up 
to  eat ;  for  which  he  was  burnt :  That  many  others  fed 
on  the  Corpfes  of  dead  Men  ;  and  that  one,  who,  through 
Cuftom,  had  got  an  infatiable  Appetite  to  that  Food,  could 
not  be  reftrained,  till  he  was  executed  for  it :  And  that, 
indeed,  fo  miferable  was  their  State,  that  the  happieft 
Day,  many  ever  hoped  to  fee,  was,  when  the  Indians 
had  killed  a   Mare  ;  the   People  wiftiing,  as  flie  was  boil- 


3o6  The    History    e/"  VIRGINIA.    Book  V. 

1624.     ing^  that    Sir    Thomas    Smith    was    upon    her    Back    in  the 

^— ^ ;^  Kettle. 

S^  Francis  And  whereas  it  was  affirmed,  that  very  {tw  of  his  Ma- 
vernor.  j^^x's  Subje6ls  wcre  loft  in  thofe  Days,  and  thofe  Perfons 
of  the  meaneft  Rank,  they  replied  ;  that  for  one,  that  then 
died,  five  had  perifhed  in  Sir  Thomas  Smith\  Times,  many 
being  of  ancient  Houfes,  and  born  to  Eftates  of  a  thoufand 
Pounds  a  Year,  fome  more,  fome  lefs,  who  likewife  perifh- 
ed by  Famine  :  That  thofe,  who  furvived,  and  had  in  Ven- 
tures both  their  Eftates  and  Perfons,  were  conftrained  to 
ferve  the  Colony  feven  or  eight  Years  for  their  Freedom, 
and  underwent  as  hard  and  as  fervile  Labour,  as  the  bafeft 
Fellow,  that  was  brought  out  of  Newgate :  As  for  Dif- 
covery,  they  owned,  that  much  had  been  difcovered  in 
thofe  twelve  Years,  but  in  the  four  or  five  laft  Years,  much 
more  than  formerly  :  That  the  Houfes  and  Churches,  then 
built,  were  fo  mean  and  poor  by  reafon  of  thefe  Calamities, 
that  they  could  not  ftand  above  one  or  two  Years  ;  the 
People  going  to  work  indeed,  but  out  of  the  Bitternefs  of 
their  Spirits,  breathing  execrable  Curfes  upon  Sir  Thomas 
Smith  ;  neither  could  a  Bleffing  from  God  be  hoped  for  in 
thofe  Buildings,  which  were  founded  upon  the  Blood  of  fo 
many  Chrijiians :  That  the  Towns  were  only  'James-City^ 
Henrico^  Charles  Hundred^  Weft  and  Shirley  Hundred^  and 
Kicquotan  ;  all  which  were  ruined  in  thofe  Times,  except 
ten  or  twelve  Houfes  in  James-Town  :  That  at  that  Prefent, 
there  were  four  for  every  one  then,  and  forty  times  ex- 
ceeding them  in  Goodnefs  :  That  Fortifications  there  were 
none  againft  a  foreign  Enemy,  and  thofe  againft  the  do- 
meftick  Foe  very  few  and  contemptible  :  That  there  was 
only  one  Bridge,  which  alfo  decayed  in  that  time  :  That 
if,  through  the  aforefaid  Calamities,  many  had  not  perifh- 
ed, there  would  doubtlefs  have  been  largely  above  a  thou- 
fand People  in  the  Country,  when  Sir  Thomas  Smith  left 
the  Government ;  but  they  conceived,  when  Sir  George 
Yeardley  arrived  Governor,  he  found  not  above  four  hun- 
dred, moft  of  them  in  Want  of  Corn,  and  utterly  defti- 
tute  of  Cattle,  Swine,  Poultry,  and  other  necefiary  Provi- 
fions  to  nourifh  them  :  That  there  were  fome  Minifters  to 
inftrudt  the  People,  whofe  Ability  they  would  not  tax,  but 
divers  of  them  had  no  Orders  :  That  they  were  never  over 
furnifhed  with  Arms,  Powder  and  Ammunition  ;  yet  that 
in  Quality  almoft  entirely  ufelefs :  They  acknowledge, 
that  in  thofe  times  a  Trial  was  made  of  divers  Staple  Com- 
modities, which  they  had  not  Means  to  proceed  in  ;  but 
they  hoped,  in  time  a  better  Progrefs  would  be  made  there- 
in, and  had   it   not   been  for  the  MafTacre,  many  by  that 

time 


Book  V.       rbe    History    of   VIRGINIA.  307 

time   would  have  been  brought  to   Perfeftion  :    That   for      1624. 

Boats,  there  was  only  one  ferviceable  one  left  in  the  Colo- ' y ' 

ny,  at  the  End  of  that  Government  ;  for  which  one,  be-  S'""  ^'"'^""'^ 
fides  four  or  five  Ships  and  Barks,  there  were  not  then  fo  -^^'^ 
few  as  forty  :  That  the  Barks  and  Barges,  then  built,  were 
in  Number  fo  few,  and  fo  unwillingly  and  weakly  by  the 
People  effecSted,  that  in  the  fame  time  they  perifhed  :  That 
they  never  knew,  that  the  Natives  did  voluntarily  yield 
themfelves  Subjects  to  the  King,  took  any  Pride  in  that 
Title,  or  paid  any  Contribution  of  Corn  towards  the  Sup- 
port of  the  Colony  ;  neither  could  they,  at  any  time,  keep 
them  in  fuch  good  Correfpondency,  as  to  become  mutually 
helpful  to  each  other  ;  but  contrariwife,  whatever  was  done, 
proceeded  from  Fear,  and  not  Love,  and  their  Corn  was 
got  by  Trade  or  the  Sword. 

And  now,  to  what  a  Growth  of  Perfe£tion  the  Colony 
could  arrive  at  the  End  of  thofe  twelve  Years,  they  left  to 
be  judged,  by  what  had  been  faid  ;  and  they  befought  his 
Majefty,  rather  than  be  reduced  to  live  under  the  like  Go- 
vernment again,  that  he  would  fend  Commiflioners  over  to 
hang  them.  As  to  Alderman  'Johnfon^  one  of  the  Authors 
of  that  Declaration,  they  faid,  he  had  great  Reafon  to  com- 
mend Sir  Thomas  Smithy  to  whofe  Offences  and  Infamy  he 
was  fo  infeparably  linked.  And  all  this  they  affirmed  to  be 
true  by  the  general  Report  of  the  Country,  which  they 
never  heard  contradi6led  ;  many  of  them  alfo  having  been 
Eye-Witnefies,  or  elfe  refident  in  the  Country,  when  every 
Particular  here  reported,  happened. 

This  Declaration  was  figned  by  Sir  Francis  Wyat^  the 
Governor  \  by  George  Sandys^  John  Pot^  John  Pountis^  Ro- 
ger Smithy  and  Ralph  Hamer^  Efqrs.  of  the  Council ;  and 
by  William  Tucker^  William  Pierce^  Ralegh  Crojhaw^  Sa- 
muel Matthews^  Jabe-z.  Whitaker^  and  others,  to  the  Num- 
ber of  twenty  four,  of  the  Houfe  of  Burgefl'es.  And  this, 
I  judge  (or  the  Number  of  twenty  five,  which  fubfcribed 
the  Anfwer  to  Captain  Butler  %  Information)  was  nearly 
about  the  full  Number  of  the  Houfe  of  Burgeffes  at  that 
time.  For  there  were,  three  Years  before,  eleven  Boroughs 
which  had  Right  to  fend  Members  to  the  Aflembly  ;  and 
there  might  be,  and  undoubtedly  were,  a  few  others  fince 
added  to  them.  Their  Anfwer  to  Captain  Butler's  Infor- 
mation, ran  in  the  following  Manner. 

Moft  gracious  Sovereign, 

WHEREAS  a  Copy  of  an   Information,,  prefented 
to   Tour  Majejiy  by  Captain    Nathaniel   Butler,  en- 
titled^ The    Unmafking  of  Virginia^  is  come  to  our  Hands  ; 

and 


3o8  ^he   History   of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1624.     an/i  whereas  the  fame  is  full  of  notorious  Slanders  and  Faljhoods^ 
^■^'^^r'^''-^  proceeding  from  the  Malice  of  his  corrupt  Hearty  and  abetted 
Sir  Francis  hy  private  Enmity  and  publick  Divifon^  which  aim  at  the  Sa- 
fvyat.  Go-  f^f^j^j^jj  qJ-  tjjglf  particular  Spleen^  althd'  it  be  to  the  Subver- 
fion   of  this   luhole  Colony  ;    Wee^  the   Governor^  Council^  and 
Colony  ij/' Virginia,  iyi  our  General  Affembly^  out  of  Zeal  and 
Refped  to    Tour  Majejly  and  this  our  Country^  not   to  fuffer 
Your  fa  ere  d  Ears   to  be  prophaned  with  falfe  Suggejiions^  nor 
Tour  Royal  Thoughts  to  be  diverted  from  fo  hopeful  a  Plan- 
tation^ which  may   add  in   time   a  principal  Flower  to   Tour 
Diadem^   do^  in   all  Humblenefs^  fubmit   this   our   Anfzver  to 
Tour  Princely  Survey^  annexed  to  the  fever al  Untruths  of  the 
faid  Informer. 

1.  I  found  the  Plantations  generally  feated,  l^c.  * 
The  Plantations,  for  the  moft  Part,  are  high  and  plea- 

fantly  feated  ;  and  the  reft  not  low,  nor  infefted  with  Mar- 
fhes,  which,  we  wifh,  were  more  frequent.  The  Creeks 
are  rather  ufeful,  than  noifome  ;  and  no  Bogs  have  been 
feen  here  by  any,  that  have  lived  twice  as  many  Years,  as 
he  did  Weeks,  in  the  Country  ;  the  Places  which  he  fo 
mifcalls,  being  the  richeft  Parts  of  the  Earth,  if  we  had  a 
fufficient  Force  to  clear  their  Woods,  and  to  give  the  frefh 
Springs,  which  run  through  them,  a  free  PafTage.  The 
Soil  is  generally  rich,  and  reftores  our  Truft  with  Abun- 
dance ;  the  Air  is  fweet,  and  the  Chme  healthful,  all  Cir- 
cumftances  confidered,  to  Men  of  found  Bodies  and  good 
Government. 

2.  I  found  the  Shores,  l^c. 

In  this  he  traduceth  one  of  the  goodlieft  Rivers  in  the 
habitable  World,  which  runs  for  many  Miles  together  within 
upright  Banks,  till  at  length,  enlarged  with  the  Receipt  of 
others,  it  beats  on  a  fandy  Shore,  and  imitates  the  Sea  in 
Greatnefs  and  Majefty.  It  is  approachable  on  both  Sides, 
from  half  Flood  to  half  Ebb,  for  Boats  of  good  Burthen  ; 
neither  is  there  any  River  in  the  World  of  this  Vaftnefs, 
without  Cranes  or  Wharfs,  more  commodious  for  landing. 
And  it  is  equally  contrary  to  Truth,  that  by  wading  we 
get  violent  Surfeits  of  Cold,  which  never  leave  us,  till  we 
are  brought  to  our  Graves. 

3.  The  new  People,  fent  over,  arriving  for  the  moft 
Part,  l^c. 

We  affirm,  that  the  Winter  is  the  only  proper  time  for 
the  Arrival  of  new  Comers  ;  whereof  the  Governor  and 
Council   have  often,  by  their  Letters,  informed  the  Com- 

*  Vide  Captain  Butlcr^%  Information,  p.  268. 

pany  ; 


Book  V.       T:he   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

pany  ;  and  the  like  Advice  has  been  given  to  their  Corref- 
pondents,  from  time  to  time,  by  private  Planters,  for  their' 
Supply  of  Servants.  As  to  Houfes  of  Entertainment,  there  ^'''  Francis 
was  a  general  Subfcription,  amounting  to  an  unexpe6led  ^"'l 
Sum,  and  Workmen  actually  employed,  to  build  a  fair  Inn 
in  Ja?nes  City,  and  every  principal  Plantation  had  refolved 
on  the  like,  for  the  Entertainment  of  their  new  Supplies  ; 
when  it  pleafed  God,  to  punifh  our  Crimes  by  the  bloody 
Hands  of  the  Indians^  which  obliged  us  to  divert  that  Care 
to  the  Houfing  ourfelves,  many  of  us  having  been  unfur- 
nifhed  by  that  Difafter.  But  Buildings  of  late  have  every 
where  encreafed  exceedingly  ;  neither  have  new  Comers  any 
Reafon  to  complain,  when  every  Man's  Houfe  is,  without 
Recompence,  open  to  the  Stranger,  even  to  the  difaccom- 
modating  ourfelves.  So  that  we  may  with  Modefty  boaft, 
that  no  People  in  the  World  do  exercife  the  like  Hofpita- 
lity.  As  for  dying  under  Hedges  (whereof  there  are  none 
in  Virginia)  or  lying  unburied  in  the  Woods,  by  reafon  of 
this  Defe<£l,  it  is  utterly  falfe.  However,  if  fuch  things 
fhould  fometimes  be  feen  accidentally  here,  the  like  may, 
and  often  doth  happen,  in  the  moft  flouriihing  Countries  of 
Europe. 

4.   The  Colony  was,  this  Winter,  in  great  Diftrefs,  ^r.     . 

The  Colony,  that  Winter,  was  in  no  Diftrefs  of  Vic- 
tual, as  the  Accufer  well  knoweth.  For  he  bought  Corn 
himfelf  for  eight  Shillings  a  Bufhel,  cheaper,  as  we  hear, 
than  it  was  then  fold  in  England.  It  is  true,  a  fucceeding 
Scarcity  was  feared.  But  what  lefs  could  be  expedted,  after 
fuch  a  Maflacre  ;  when  near  half  the  Colony  were  driven 
from'  their  Habitations  in  time  of  planting,  others  ftreigh- 
tened  in  their  Ground  by  receiving  them,  and  all  interrupted 
in  their  Bufinefs  by  fupporting  a  fudden  War  ?  EngliJJ) 
Meal  fold,  as  he  affirmeth,  at  thirty  Shillings  the  Bufhel, 
was  only  fold  for  ten  Pounds  of  Tobacco  ;  for  which,  in 
truck,  we  ordinarily  receive  under  twelve  Pence  a  Pound, 
real  Value.  And  it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed,  that  any  of  the 
Great  fliould  affeil  Scarcity,  in  order  to  enrich  themfelves 
by  Trade.  For  Trade  hath  ever  been  free  for  us  all  ;  nei- 
ther have  they,  who  have  brought  in  moft  Corn,  fold  it 
out  at  unconfcionable  Rates,  but  have  often  freely  imparted 
it  to  the  Neceflity  of  others,  without  any  other  Advantage 
than  Repayment.  We  agree  with  that  Prime-one,  who 
wifhed,  that  Corn  might  never  be  under  eight  Shillings  a 
Bufhel  ;  meaning  in  Tobacco  at  three  Shillings  a  Pound. 
For  fo  there  would  be  fome  Proportion  between  the  Profit 
of  making  the  one  and  the  other,  and  Corn  would  thereby 
be  planted  in  greater  Abundance. 

5.  Their 


The   History   of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

5.  Their  Houfes  are  generally  the  worft,  cffc. 
Our    Houfes,  for   the   moft  Part,  are  rather    built   for 
ri^  ^'''^""'  Ufe  than  Ornament  ;  vet  not  a  few  for  both,  and  fit  to  give 

fFyat.    Go-  T-  .  ATr  ^    r^        ^■  Tr  °- 

vernor.  jLntertainment  to  Men  or  good  Quality.  If  we  may  give 
Credit  to  thofe,  who  are  accounted  the  moft  faithful  Re- 
laters  of  the  Wejl- Indies^  many  Cities  of  great  Rumour 
there,  after  threescore  Years  Progrefs,  are  not  to  be  com- 
pared in  their  Buildings  to  ours.  And  fo  far  are  they  from 
the  meaneft  Cottages  in  England^  that  many  Towns  there 
have  hardly  one  Houfe  in  them,  which  exceedeth  ours  in 
Conveniency  or  Stru6lure.  The  greateft  Difparagement, 
that  fome  of  them  received,  proceeded  from  his  Riots  and 
lafcivious  Filthinefs  with  lewd  Women,  purchafed  with  Ri- 
als of  Eight  and  Wedges  of  Gold,  the  Spoils  of  the  dif- 
trefled  Spaniards  in  Bermudas  ;  which,  as  we  are  informed 
by  a  Gentleman  of  good  Credit,  who  cafually  furveyed  his 
Inventory,  did,  with  other  Treafure,  amount  to  divers 
Thoufands.  As  for  the  Interpofition  of  Creeks,  which 
Men  are  moft  defirous  to  feat  upon,  where  we  cannot  go 
by  Land,  we  have  Boats  and  Canoes,  for  our  fudden  Tranf- 
port  on  any  Occafion. 

6.  I  found  not  the  leaft  Piece  of  Fortification,  ^c. 

We  have,  as  yet,  no  Fortifications  againft  a  foreign  E- 
nemy,  altho'  it  hath  been  endeavoured  by  the  Company, 
with  a  Succefs  unanfwerable  to  their  Care  and  Expence  ; 
as  alfo  lately  by  ourfelves.  But  the  Work,  being  inter- 
rupted by  the  Scarcity  of  laft  Summer,  fhall  proceed  again, 
God  willing,  with  all  convenient  Expedition  ;  and  almoft 
all  our  Houfes  are  fufficiently  fortified  againft  the  Indians^ 
with  ftrong  Palifadoes.  His  Envy  would  not  let  him  num- 
ber truly  the  Ordinance  at  'James  City  ;  four  Demi-Culve- 
rins  being  there  mounted,  and  all  ferviceable.  At  Flower- 
de-Hundred^  he  makes  but  one  of  fix  j  neither  was  he  ever 
there,  but,  according  to  his  Cuftom,  reporteth  the  unfeen 
as  feen.  The  fame  Envy  would  not  let  him  fee  the  three 
Pieces  at  Newport's-NezvSy  and  thofe  two  at  Elifaheth-City. 
Two  great  Pieces  there  are  at  Charles  Hundred^  and  feven 
at  Henrico.  Befides  which,  feveral  private  Planters  have 
fince  furnifhed  themfelves  with  Ordinance.  So  that  it  were 
a  defperate  Enterprife,  and  unlikely  to  be  attempted  by  a 
Man  of  his  Spirit,  to  beat  down  our  Houfes  about  our  Ears, 
with  a  Bark  of  that  Burthen. 

7.  Expecting,  according  to  their  printed  Books,  ^c. 
The    time   that   this    Informer  came  over,   was  in  the 

Winter,  after  the  MafTacre  ;  when  thofe  Wounds  were 
green,  and  the  Earth  deprived  of  her  Beauty.  His  Ears 
were  open  to  nothing  but  Detraction,  and  he  only  enquired 

after 


/ 


Book.  V.      The    History  of  VIRGINIA.  311 

after  the  Fadlious,  of  which  there  were  none  among  us,     '624. 
and  how  he  might  gather  Accufations  againft  thofe  in  the  ^^— v-~-^ 
Government,  being,  as  it  fhould  feem,  fent  over  for  that  ^'"^  Franch 
Purpofe.     Otherwife  he  could  not  but  hear  of  our  Procla-\, J^^^^    **" 
mations  for  the  Advancement  of  Staple  Commodities,  and 
with  what  Alacrity  and  Succefs  they  proceeded  ;  Vines  and 
Mulberry  Trees  being  planted  throughout  the  whole  Coun- 
try, the   Iron-Works  in   great  Forwardnefs  and  fhortly  to 
receive  Perfedtion,  and  the  Glafs-Works  laboured  after  with 
all  poffible  Care,  till  the  Slaughter  by  the  Indians^  and  the 
fucceeding  Mortality,  gave  a  Ruin  to  fome,  and  Interrup- 
tion to  all.     So  that  he  hath  nothing  but  our  Misfortunes 
to  accufe  and  upbraid  us  with  ;  which  have  obliged  us,  ftill 
to  follow  that  contemptible  Weed,,  as  well   to   fuftain   the 
War,  as  to  enable  us  again  to  erecft  thofe  Works.     As  for 
deriding  the  Books,  that  were  fent  over  by  the  Company, 
it  was  done  by  himfelf,  and  no  other,  that  we  know  of. 

8.  I  found  the  ancient  Plantations  of  Henrico^  &'c. 
Still   he  abufeth  your   Majefty  with   thefe  Words,  / 

found,  in  Places,  where  he  never  was  by  fome  Score  of 
Miles  ;  having  never  been  higher  up  the  River,  than  the 
Territories  of  'James  City.  Henrico  was  quitted  in  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith's  Time,  only  the  Church  and  one  Houfe  remain- 
ing. Charles  City,  (o  much  fpoken  of,  never  had  but  fix 
Houfes.  The  Soil  of  both  is  barren,  worn  out,  and  not 
fit  for  Culture.  The  Lofs  of  our  Stocks  the  Informer 
hath  lefs  Reafon  to  urge.  For  he  joined  with  the  Indians 
in  killing  our  Cattle,  and  carried  the  Beef  aboard  his  Ship  ; 
which  would  have  coft  him  his  Life,  if  he  had  had  his  De- 
fer ts. 

9.  Whereas  according  to  his  Majefty's  gracious,  iffc. 
The  Governor  and  Council,  whom  it  only  concerned, 

replied  to  this ;  that  they  had  followed  the  Laws  and  Cuf- 
toms  of  England  to  their  utmoft  Skill ;  neither  could  he, 
or  any  other,  produce  any  Particular,  wherein  they  had 
failed.  As  to  their  Ignorance,  they  held  him  to  be  no 
competent  Judge  of  thofe,  who  fo  far  tranfcended  him  in 
Point  of  Learning  and  Ability.  For  he  had  never  been 
bred  to  the  Law  (as  was  not  unknown  to  fome  of  them) 
nor  yet  in  any  other  of  the  liberal  Sciences.  But  his  prin- 
cipal Spleen  in  this  Article,  appeared  to  proceed  from  his 
not  being  admitted  of  the  Council,  which  they  could  by 
no  means,  confiftently  with  their  Inftru6tions,  do. 

10.  There   having  been,   as  it   is  thought,  ten  thou- 
fand,  b'f. 

H I  s  Computation  of  ten  thoufand  Souls  falleth  fhort  of 

four  thoufand ;    and  thofe  were,  in   great   part,  wafted   by 

43  Y  the 


312  the   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

1624.  the  more  than  Egyptian  Slavery  and  Scythian  Cruelty,  which 
^■^"'^'"^^  was  exercifed  on  us,  your  poor  and  miferable  Subje6ts,  by 
^  FrawmL^^g  written  in  Blood,  and  executed  with  all  Sorts  of  Ty- 
vernor.  fanny,  in  the  Time  of  Sir  'Thomas  Smith's  Government ; 
whereof  we  fend  your  Majefty  the  true  and  tragical  Rela- 
tion, from  which  it  will  plainly  appear,  that  the  pretended 
Confufions  and  private  Ends  will  ftrongly  refle<5i:  upon  him 
and  his  Inftrudtors.  And  how  unfit  fuch  Men  are,  to  re- 
ftore  that  Plantation,  which  fufFered  fo  much  under  their 
Government,  we  humbly  refer  to  your  princely  Confidera- 
tion  ;  invoking,  with  him,  that  divine  and  fupreme  Hand, 
to  prote6l  us  from  fuch  Governors  and  their  Minifters, 
who  have  poured  out  our  Blood  on  the  Earth  like  Water, 
and  have  fatted  themfelves  with  our  Famine.  And  we  be- 
feech  your  Majefty,  to  fupport  us  in  this  jufb  and  gentle 
Authority,  which  has  cherifhed  us  of  late  by  more  worthy 
Magiftrates  ;  and  We,  our  Wives,  and  poor  Children,  as 
is  our  Duty,  fhall  ever  pray  to  God,  to  give  you  in  this 
World  all  Increafe  of  Happinefs,  and  to  crown  you  in  the 
World  to  come,  with  immortal  Glory. 

This  Anfwer  was  fubfcribed  by  the  fame  Perfons  as 
the  former ;  only  with  the  Addition  of  the  Honourable 
Francis  Weji^  Brother  to  the  late,  and  Uncle  to  the  then 
Lord  Delawarr^  and  Sir  George  Teardley^  of  the  Council, 
and  of  one  more  Member  of  the  Houfe  of  Burgeffes.  Mr. 
fohn  Pountis  alfo,  one  of  the  Council  of  State,  was  appoint- 
ed to  go  to  England^  to  follicite  the  general  Caufe  of  the 
Colony  (for  fo  they  call  it)  ;  and  four  Pounds  of  Tobacco 
was  levied  upon  every  Male  Tithable,  that  had  been  a  Year 
in  the  Country,  to  fupport  his  Expences.  But  this  Gen- 
tleman, in  his  Voyage  home,  died  upon  the  Coaft  of  En- 
gland; and  was  therefore  able  to  do  nothing  in  the  Affair. 
But  to  thefe,  the  General  Aflembly  added  two  other  Wri- 
tings ;  the  one  a  Petition  to  the  King,  and  the  other  a  Let- 
ter to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council. 

In  their  Petition  to  the  King,  they  declared  their  great 
Joy  and  Satisfa6lion,  that  his  Majefty,  notwithftanding  the 
late  unjuft  Difparagement  of  this  Plantation,  had  taken  it 
into  his  nearer  and  more  efpecial  Care.  And  that  his  Royal 
Intentions  might  have  their  due  Effeft,  they  humbly  be- 
fought  him,  being  urged  thereto  by  their  Duty  and  Expe- 
rience, to  give  no  Credit  to  the  late  Declarations  of  the 
happy,  as  it  was  called,  but  in  Truth,  miferable  Eftate  of 
the  Colony,  during  the  firft  twelve  Years,  nor  to  the  ma- 
licious Imputations,  which  had  been  laid  on  the  Govern- 
ment of  late  ;  but  that  he  would  be  pleafed  to  behold,  in 

Miniature, 


/ 


Book  V.       The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

Miniature,  the  true  Eftate  of  both  Times  by  their  Rela- 
tions, which  they  then  prefented  by  the  Hands  of  Mr.  yobn' 
Pountis^  a  worthy  Member  of  their  Body  ;  and  which  con-^'""  P''"'":'^ 
tained  nothing  but  the  Truth,  without  DifafFedion  or  Par-^^^,';  ^"" 
tiality.  From  thefe  they  doubted  not,  but  that  his  Ma- 
jefty  would  clearly  underftand  the  true  Condition  of  both 
Times  ;  and  would  be  pleafed,  according  to  their  earneft 
Defire,  to  continue,  and  even  farther  confirm,  the  Govern- 
ment, under  which  they  then  lived.  But  if  it  fhould  pleafe 
him  otherwife  to  determine,  they  befought  him,  by  all  the 
Ties  of  Companion  and  Humanity,  not  to  fuffer  them,  his 
poor  Subje6ls,  to  fall  again  into  the  Hands  of  Sir  Thomas 
Smithy  or  his  Confidents ;  but  that  he  would  gracioufly 
prote6t  them  from  thofe  Storms  of  Faction,  which  threa- 
tened the  Ruin  of  fome  Perfons  (whofe  Endeavours  had 
deferved  a  better  Reward)  and  in  general  the  Subverfion  of 
the  whole  Colony.  And  if  the  Government  muft  be  al- 
tered, they  defired,  fince  the  A6lion  was  of  fuch  Honour 
and  Confequence,  that  they  might  ftill  depend  upon  fuch 
great  and  noble  Perfons,  as  they  lately  had  done.  And  far- 
ther, in  Confideration  of  the  late  Maffacre  and  fubfequent 
Calamities,  they  befought  his  Majefty,  to  grant  them  and 
the  Sof?ier-IJJands  the  fole  Importation  of  Tobacco  ;  affuring 
him,  that  they  affe6led  not  that  contemptible  Weed,  as  a 
thing  good  and  defirable  in  itfelf,  but  as  a  prefent  Means  of 
Support.  And  if  it  fhould  pleafe  his  Majefty,  to  fend  over 
that  Aid  of  Soldiers,  whereof  they  had  been  put  in  Hopes, 
or  any  other  Afliftance,  they  humbly  defired,  that  the  Go- 
vernor and  General  Aflembly  might  have  a  Voice  in  their 
Difpofal ;  fince  none  at  that  Diftance,  by  reafon  of  Acci- 
dents and  emergent  Occafions,  could  dire£l  fuch  an  Affair 
fo  advantageoufly,  as  they  were  enabled  to  do,  by  their 
Prefence  and  Experience  in  the  Country. 

In  their  Letter  to  the  Privy  Council,  they  acknowledged 
the  Receipt  of  feveral  of  theirs,  and  returned  their  Thanks 
to  his  Majefty  for  his  princely  Care  of  the  Colony  ;  parti- 
cularly for  remitting  three  Pence  a  Pound  in  the  Cuftom  of 
Tobacco,  and  for  his  gracious  Intention  to  grant  them  a 
fole  Importation,  than  which  nothing  could  give  greater 
Life,  or  a  more  fpeedy  Advancement,  to  the  Colony.  For 
little  or  nothing  could  be  expeded  from  Poverty,  to  which 
the  mean  Prices  of  Tobacco,  and  great  Expence  of  the 
War  againft  the  Indians^  had  reduced  them.  Neither  had 
they,  in  their  prefent  State,  the  Means  to  fortify  them- 
felves,  or  to  fet  up  Staple  Commodities,  which  would  re- 
quire a  long  Expectation  of  Profit  ;  the  Fruit  of  their  La- 
bours at   prefent   amounting   to   no   more,   if  fo   much,   as 

Y   2  would 


314  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1624.     would  barely  feed  and  cloath  them.     They  therefore  hum- 

^-^~v 'bly  entreated   their   Lordfhips,  to  be  a  Means  to  his   Ma- 

Sir  Francis  JQ^y  jq   confirm   his   gracious   Intention ;  and  to  take  into 

Temor    °' their  Confideration  the  heavy  Burthen,  of  paying  for  Cuf- 

tom  above  a  Third  of  their  Labour  ;  which,  they  defired, 

might  be  reduced  to  five  per  Cent,  according  to  the  exprefs 

Tenor  of  their  original  Charters. 

They  further  told  their  Lordfhips,  that  they  underftood 
by  their  Letters,  that  they  had  been  accufed  by  one,  who 
went  from  hence,  of  Negle6l  in  Fortifications,  in  building 
Houfes,  and  in  providing  themfelves  Suftenance  ;  but  they 
protefted  againft  his  Relation,  which  was,  as  in  other  things, 
fo  in  this,  moft  falfe  and  ilanderous.  They  had,  in  due 
Submiflion,  publifhed  their  Orders,  fent  over  by  Mr.  Pory  ; 
by  which  they  underftood  his  Majefty's  Intention,  to  change 
the  Government.  They  profefiTed  themfelves  ignorant  of 
the  Dangers  and  Ruin,  that  threatened  them  from  the  Go- 
vernment, as  it  then  flood ;  and  declared,  they  had  no- 
thing to  accufe  thofe  Gentlemen  of,  who  had  Iwayed  their 
Affairs,  fince  the  Expiration  of  Sir  Thomas  Smith's  Autho- 
rity ;  their  Slavery  having  fince  been  converted  into  Free- 
dom, and  the  Colony  cherifhed  under  a  juft  and  moderate 
Government.  Neither  would  they  have  been  fubje6f:  to 
Cenfure,  had  not  the  bitter  Efie6f:s  of  the  Mafiacre  clouded 
the  Company's  Zeal  and  their  Endeavours. 

But  however  it  might  pleafe  his  Majefty  to  difpofe  of 
them,  it  was  their  humble  Defire,  that  the  Governors, 
fent  over,  might  not  have  abfolute  Authority,  but  might 
be  reftrained  to  the  Confent  of  the  Council  ;  which  Title, 
they  defired,  might  ftill  be  retained  to  the  Honour  of  the 
Colony,  and  not  converted  to  the  Name  of  Afliftants,  as 
was  propofed  in  an  Order  of  their  Board.  They  faid,  they 
had  found  fome  Inconveniencies,  by  the  ftri6f:  Limitations 
of  the  Governor  and  Council,  to  proceed  according  to  their 
Inftru6lions  out  of  England.  For  in  fo  far  a  Diftance,  and 
imperfect  Knowledge  of  the  Country,  thofe  things  might 
feem  good  in  Advice,  which  might  happen  to  prove  very 
inconvenient  in  Execution  ;  neither  was  it  fit,  that  any  main 
Projeil  fhould  be  fet  on  Foot,  which  had  not  firft  Appro- 
bation from  hence.  They  conceived,  the  prefent  fhort 
Continuance  of  Governors  to  be  very  difadvantageous  to  the 
Colony.  The  firft  Year,  they  were  raw  and  unexperien- 
ced in  the  Country,  and  for  the  moft  part  in  ill  Difpofition 
of  Health,  through  the  Change  of  Climate  ;  the  fecond, 
they  began  to  underftand  fomething  of  the  Affairs  of  the 
Colony  ;  and  the  third,  they  were  providing  to  return.  But 
above  all,  they  made  it  their  moft  humble  Requeft  to  their 

Lordfhips, 


Book  V.      i:he   History   of  VIRGINIA. 

Lordfhips,  that  they  might  ftill  retain  the  Liberty  of  their 
General  Aflemblies  ;  than  which  nothing  could  more  con- 
duce, to  the  publick  Satisfaction,  and  publick  Utility.  ^'''  ^'''^«<^" 

These  two  were  figned  by  almoft  the  fame  Perfons  as  vernor 
the  former ;  and  I  cannot  but  obferve,  to  the  immortal 
Honour  of  Sir  Francis  Wyat^  that  he  was  fo  far  from  de- 
liring  the  Tyranny  of  an  abfolute  Authority,  that  he  was 
moft  ftrenuous  and  active,  and  joined  very  cordially  in  all 
thefe  Petitions  and  Reprefentations,  for  reftraining  the  ex- 
orbitant Power  of  Governors.  All  thefe  things  were  car- 
ried, in  the  Aflembly,  with  the  utmoft  Unanimity  and  Dif- 
patch  ;  and  they  were  kept  fecret  from  the  Commiflioners, 
whom  they  found  to  be  in  other  Interefts,  and  to  have  quite 
different  Views  from  themfelves.  For,  having  at  firft  pro- 
mifed  to  communicate  all  their  Reprefentations  and  Papers 
to  the  Governor  and  Aflembly,  expelling  the  like  Favour 
from  them,  they  afterwards  flood  off,  and  indeed  abfolutely 
refufed  to  let  them  know  any  thing  they  were  doing  ;  un- 
der Pretence,  that  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  ought 
to  have  the  firft  View  of  what  they  intended  to  prefent. 
Whereupon  the  Governor  and  Affembly,  fufpe£l:ing  fome 
finifter  Defigns,  endeavoured  to  conceal  from  the  Commif- 
fioners  what  was  pafling  among  them.  But  Mr.  Pory^  a 
Tool  of  Power,  and  verfed  in  Corruption,  by  the  Promife 
of  a  Reward,  obtained  Copies  of  all  thefe  Writings  from 
Edward  Sharpies^  Clerk  of  the  Council ;  and  altho'  Captain 
Harvey  had  no  Hand  in  corrupting  him,  he  afterwards  pro- 
mifed  him  fifty  Pounds  of  Tobacco,  in  Reward  of  his  Trea- 
chery. This  Sharpies  had  been  entertained,  by  the  late  Mr. 
Secretary  Davidfon^  as  a  Writer  in  his  Office  ;  and  after 
the  Secretary's  Death,  which  happened  towards  the  laft  of 
the  former  Year,  he  was  admitted,  far  above  his  Condition 
and  Defert,  Clerk  of  the  Council,  and  took  an  Oath  (a 
Copy  whereof  is  ftill  extant  in  our  Records)  to  deliver  no 
Copies  of  any  Papers  or  Writings,  without  the  Governor's 
Leave.  Wherefore  I  find.,  at  a  Court  held  the  lOth  oi  May 
following,  as  it  appeared  by  fufficient  Evidence,  and  by  his 
own  Confeffion,  that  he,  being  fworn  Clerk  of  the  Council 
of  State,  had  betrayed  their  Councils  to  the  Commiffioners, 
he  was  fentenced  to  ftand  in  the  Pillory,  and  there  to  have 
his  Ears  nailed  to  it,  and  cut  off.  However,  he  was  only 
juft  fet  on  the  Pillory,  and  loft  a  Piece  of  one  of  his  Ears. 
A  Letter  was  alfo  fent  by  the  Governor  and  Council  to  the 
Company,  to  inform  them  of  his  Crime  and  his  Puniftiment ;  ' 

and  to  complain  of  Mr.  Pory's  Subornation  of  him,  that 
they,  underftanding  his  double  Dealing,  might  thence  be 
upon  their  Guard,  and  prevent  his  corrupt  Practices.      But 

Y  3  it 


3i6  The   History   of  VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

1624.  it  was  now  too  late  for  the  Company  to  do  any  thing  in  it. 
^"^^  V  'For  fuch  a  mean  and  proftitute  Inftrument  of  their  Aims 
«r  ''^'"'^""^and  DefiP-ns,  as  Pory.  had  lone  before  this  more  Power  and 

fVyat,   Go-T    ^         n  r^  1  i-ii  1  11 

vernor.  Interclt  at  Uourt,  and  was  hkely  to  be  more  regarded, 
than  all  the  noble,  great,  and  worthy  Members  of  the 
Company. 

But  the  Commiflioners,  finding,  that  things  were  go- 
ing in  the  Aflembly  quite  contrary  to  their  Hopes  and  De- 
fireSj  refolved  to  lay  fome  of  their  Powers  before  them, 
which  might  probably  intimidate  and  influence  them,  and 
reftrain  them  from  proceeding  with  fo  much  Sharpnefs  and 
Vigor.  They  therefore  opened  fome  Part  of  their  Com- 
miJIion  to  the  Aflembly,  on  the  24th  of  February.  A 
Week  after,  they  wrote  them  a  Letter,  importing  :  That 
they  fuppofed,  in  a  Week's  Time,  fince  their  publifhing 
the  Orders  of  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  the  Afl'em- 
bly  could  not  but  have  maturely  confidered  the  fame  : 
That  therefore,  for  the  fpeedier  Advancement  of  the  Colo- 
ny in  general,  and  for  the  fecuring  every  Man's  Intereft  in 
particular  ;  and  that  they  might  all,  by  Submiflion  and 
Thankfulnefs,  as  by  Obedience  and  Sacrifice  both  together, 
ingratiate  themfelves  and  their  common  Caufe  to  his  Maje- 
fty's  renowned  Clemency,  They,  as  Remembrancers, 
thought  it  no  lefs  than  their  Duty,  to  propofe  to  their  Con- 
fideration  the  Form  enclofed  ;  which,  they  hoped,  they 
would  apprehend  very  fit  to  be  fubfcribed  by  the  whole 
Aflembly,  it  being  no  other,  than  what  they  themfelves 
would,  mofl:  readily,  and  mofl:  humbly,  fet  their  Hands 
unto.     The  Form  propofed  was,  as  follows. 

IJ/HE  RE  JS  we  underjiand  by  three  A£is  of  Council  in 
England,  lately  publijhed  in  this  General  Affernbly.,  that 
his  Majefy  hath  ftgnified  his  gracious  Pleafure.,  for  the  uni- 
verfal  Good  of  this  Plantation.^  which  by  reafon  of  our  late 
Calamities  is  in  an  unjettled  State.^  to  injlitute  another  Form 
of  Government.,  whereby  the  Colony  may  be  upheld.,  and  prof- 
per  the  better  in  time  to  come.,  and  to  that  End  hath  required 
a  Surrendry  of  the  prejent  Patents.,  declaring  his  Royal  In- 
tention., to  fecure  to  the  particular  Members  of  the   Company 

fuch  Lands  and  Privileges  in  the  f aid  Country.,  as.,  according 
to  the  Proportion  of  each  Man' s  Adventure  and  private  In- 
tereji.,  Jhall  be  found  due  unto  him  ;    We  of  this  General  Af- 

fembly  do.,  by  Subfcription  of  our  Names.,  not  only  profefs  and 
te/iify  our  Thanfuhiefs.,  for  that  his  Majefy's  mofl  gracious 
and  tender  Care  over  us.,  but  do  moreover.,  for  our  Parts.,  in 
all  Humility  and  tVillingneJs.,  fubmit  our fe Ives  to  his  princely 
Pleafure.,  of  revoking  our  old  Charters.,  and  of  vouchfafing  his 


Book  V.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA. 

neiu  Letters-patent^  to   thofe  noble  Ends  and  Purpojes^  above- 
mentioned. 

Sir   Francis 

Thus  to  draw  the  General  Aflembly  to  furrender  and  vemor. 
petition  for  a  Revocation  of  their  Charters,  which  the 
Courts  in  England  would  by  no  means  fubmit  to,  was  cer- 
tainly a  very  ci'afty  and  effe6lual  Way,  to  difgrace  the  Com- 
pany, and  to  make  the  Colony  feem  difafFefted  to  them, 
and  willing  to  throw  off  their  Yoke  ;  and  would  alfo  have 
given  fome  Colour  to  their  violent  Suppreffion  afterwards. 
But  the  Aflembly  feems  fully  to  have  underftood  their  Aim, 
and  even  to  fufpeft,  that  this  was  Part  of  their  Errand  and 
Inftruitions  from  England.  For  in  their  Anfwer,  they  en- 
deavoured to  draw  from  them,  by  what  Authority  they 
made  fuch  a  Propofal,  and  faid  ;  As  they  could  not  fee, 
how  this  Propofition  had  any  Ground  in  the  Infl:ru6lions, 
they  had  yet  feen,  they  defired,  before  the  Aflembly 
returned  an  Anfwer,  that  the  Commiilioners  would  fhew 
them  the  Depth  of  their  Authority  ;  or  otherwife  fet  it 
down  under  their  Hands,  that  they  had  no  further  Com- 
miffions  or  Inftru6lions,  which  might  concern  them. 

But  this  Anfwer  gave  the  Commiflioners  great  Offence, 
and  drew  from  them  a  very  fierce  and  menacing  Reply  : 
That  they  had  acknowledged,  in  delivering  their  Papers, 
that  they  had  neither  Commiflion  nor  Inflru^tion,  to  move 
them  to  fubfcribe  the  Form  propofed  ;  neither  could  the  leafl: 
Shadow  of  any  fuch  thing  be  colle6led  from  their  Letter  : 
That  what  they  had  propofed,  was  out  of  their  Difcretion, 
as  wholefome  Counfel  for  the  Good  of  the  Colony  ;  neither 
was  it  precipitate  or  fudden,  but  proper  to  the  Time,  Oc- 
cafion,  and  Perfons  :  That  the  Mark,  aimed  at,  was  no 
iefs  than  his  Majeflry's  Favour  upon  their  Perfons  and  com- 
mon Caufe,  to  be  obtained  by  Obedience  and  Thankful- 
nefs :  That  as  there  needed  neither  Commiflion  nor  In- 
fl:ru<Slion,  for  them  to  propound  the  Practice  of  fo  eminent 
a  Duty,  fo  it  was  lawful  for  them,  as  being  Freemen  and 
Planters,  to  offer  to  the  General  Affembly  any  reafonable 
Motion,  tho'  of  far  Iefs  Confequence  ;  and  had  they  not 
vouchfafed  to  return  an  Anfwer,  they  might  juftly  have 
feemed  difcontented,  or  at  leafl:  difcourteous  :  That  they 
had  no  Reafon,  upon  this  Occafion,  to  fearch  into  the  Depth 
of  their  Authority  (fince  their  Motion  depended  not,  nor 
needed  to  depend,  on  their  particular  Commiflion)  much  Iefs, 
to  urge  them  to  fet  down  any  thing  under  their  Hands  :  That 
they  could  not  profefs,  that  they  had  no  farther  Commif- 
fions,  which  might  concern  them,  befides  that  already  put 
in  Execution  ;  for  their  Commiflions,  yet  unperformed,  con- 

Y  4  cerned 


3i8  "The   History   e/"  VIRGINIA.        Book  V. 

1624.     cerned   them  in    their    Houfes,    Perfons,   Servants,    Corn, 

^— — V '  Cattle,  Arms,  ^c.     That  however  they  need  not   fufpedl, 

Sir  Frawc/i  that   they  would  attempt  any  thing  to  any  Man's  Wrong, 
yat,     o-  Qj.  which  they  could  not  very  well  anfwer. 

vcrnor.  j  j 

To  this  the  AfTembly  calmly  repUed  :  That  they  had 
already  prefented  their  humbleft  Thanks  to  his  Majefty, 
for  his  gracious  Care  of  them  ;  and  had  returned  their  An- 
fwer to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council :  That  when  their 
Aflent  to  the  Surrendry  of  their  Charters  fhould  be  required 
by  Authority,  it  would  then  be  the  moft  proper  Time  to 
make  a  Reply :  But  in  the  mean  while,  they  conceived, 
his  Majefty's  Intention  to  change  the  Government  had  pro- 
ceeded from  wrong  Information ;  which,  they  hoped, 
would  be  altered  upon  their  more  faithful  Declarations. 
But  the  better  to  enable  them  to  take  a  View  of  the  Plan- 
tations, and  to  render  an  exa6l  Account  of  the  State  of  the 
Colony,  the  AfTembly  ordered,  upon  the  Commiflioners 
Application  for  their  Afliftance,  that  the  feveral  Plantations 
fhould  tranfport  them  from  Plantation  to  Plantation,  as 
they  fhould  defire  ;  and  fhould  accommodate  them  in  the 
befl  Manner,  their  Houfes  and  Rooms  would  afford.  The 
Commiflioners  alfo  made  the  AfTembly  four  Proportions  ; 
concerning  the  beft  Places  of  Fortification  and  Defence  ; 
the  State  of  the  Colony,  with  Refpeil  to  the  Savages;  the 
Hopes,  that  might  be  really  and  truly  conceived  of  the 
Plantation  ;  and  the  properefl  Means,  to  attain  thofe 
Hopes  :  To  all  which  the  AfTembly  gave  full  and  particu- 
lar Anfwers.  And  I  cannot  but  remark,  that  Captain 
Matthews^  who  had  joined  with  the  General  AfTembly  in 
their  publick  A6ls  and  Reprefentations  againft  the  former 
Government,  did  likewife  join  with  the  Commiflioners  in 
all  thefe  Proceedings  :  Whether  he  was  brought  over  by  the 
almighty  Force  and  irrefiflable  Allurement  of  private  Ad- 
vantage ;  or  whether  he  thought  himfelf  obliged  to  do 
fomething  in  Conjunction  with  them,  as  he  was  included 
in  the  fame  Commiflion. 

The  Laws  of  this  AfTembly  confifled  of  thirty  five 
Articles.  For  that  Manner  (taken,  I  prefume,  from  the 
Articles,  fent  over  by  Sir  Thomas  Smith)  was  at  this  time, 
and  continued  long  after,  the  ufual  Way  of  drawing  up 
and  enabling  their  Laws  ;  which  indeed  had  this  Good  in 
it,  that  all  tedious  Forms  were  thereby  cut  ofT,  and  the 
main  Senfe  and  Subftance  of  their  A6ts  appeared  at  once, 
in  clear  and  precife  Terms.  As  thefe  Laws  are  the  oldefl, 
that  I  can  now  find  upon  our  Records,  and  as  they  contain 
fome  things  of  efpecial  Note,  I  fhall  here  prefent  them  to 
the  Reader. 

The 


Book  V.      ^lc    History    of  VIRGINIA.  319 

The  firft  feven  related  to   the  Church  and  Minilty,  and      '624. 

ena6led  :  That  in  every  Plantation,  where  the  People  were  " r ' 

wont  to  meet  for  the  Worfhip  of  God,  there  fliould  be  a^'''  ^''^'"^'^ 
Houfe,  or  Room,  fet  apart  for  that  Purpofe,  and  not  con-yg/^g'^' 
verted  to  any  temporal  Ufe  whatfoever  ;  and  that  a  Place 
fhould  be  empaled  and  fequeftered,  only  for  the  Burial  of 
the  Dead  :  That  whofoever  fliould  abfent  himfelf  from  Di- 
vine Service  any  Sunday^  without  an  allowable  Excufe, 
fhould  forfeit  a  Pound  of  Tobacco,  and  that  he,  who  ab- 
fented  himfelf  a  Month,  fliould  forfeit  fifty  Pounds  of  To- 
bacco :  That  there  fliould  be  an  Uniformity  in  the  Church, 
as  near  as  might  be,  both  in  Subfl:ance  and  Circumftance, 
to  the  Canons  of  the  Church  of  England  \  and  that  all 
Perfons  fliould  yield  a  ready  Obedience  to  them,  upon  Pain 
of  Cenfure  :  That  the  22d  of  March  (the  Day  of  the 
Maflacre)  fliould  be  folemnifed  and  kept  holy  ;  and  that  all 
other  Holidays  fliould  be  obferved,  except  when  two  fell  to- 
gether in  the  Summer  Seafon  (the  Time  of  their  Working  and 
Crop)  when  the  firft  only  was  to  be  obferved,  by  reafon  of  their 
Neceffities  and  Employment  :  That  no  Minifter  fliould  be 
abfent  from  his  Cure,  above  two  Months  in  the  whole 
Year,  upon  Penalty  of  forfeiting  half  his  Salary  ;  and  who- 
foever was  abfent  above  four  Months,  fliould  forfeit  his 
whole  Salary  and  his  Cure  :  That  whofoever  fliould  dif- 
parage  a  Minifter,  without  fufficient  Proof  to  juftify  his 
Reports,  whereby  the  Minds  of  his  Parifliioners  might  be 
alienated  from  him,  and  his  Miniftry  prove  the  lefs  effec- 
tual, fliould  not  only  pay  five  hundred  Pounds  of  Tobacco, 
but  fliould  alfo  a(k  the  Minifter  Forgivenefs,  publickly  in 
the  Congregation  :  That  no  Man  fliould  difpofe  of  any  of 
his  Tobacco,  before  the  Minifter  was  fatisfied,  upon  For- 
feiture of  double  his  Part  towards  the  Salary  ;  and  that  one 
Man  of  every  Plantation  fliould  be  appointed,  to  colle6l  the 
Minifter's  Salary,  out  of  the  firft  and  beft  Tobacco  and  Corn. 

The  eighth  and  ninth  Articles  related  to  the  Gover- 
nor's Power  :  That  he  fliould  not  lay  any  Taxes  or  Im- 
pofitions  upon  the  Colony,  their  Lands,  or  Commodities, 
otherwife  than  by  the  Authority  of  the  General  Affembly  ; 
to  be  levied  and  employed,  as  the  faid  Afl'embly  fliould  ap- 
point :  That  he  fliould  not  withdraw  the  Inhabitants  from 
their  private  Labours  to  any  Service  of  his  own,  under  any 
Colour  whatfoever  ;  and  if  the  publick  Service  fliould  re- 
quire the  Employment  of  many  Hands,  before  another 
General  Aflembly  met  to  give  Order  for  the  fame,  in  that 
Cafe,  the  levying  Men  fliould  be  done,  by  the  Order  of  the 
Governor  and  whole  Body  of  the  Council ;  and  that  in 
fuch  Sort,  as  to  be  leaft  burthenfome  to  the  People,  and 
44  moft 


320  rZv    History    of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V 

1624-     moft   free  from  Partiality.     Thus  early  was  the  Aflembly, 

^■^"-Y ■  out  of  the  Memory  of  their  paft  Miferies  and  Oppreflions, 

Sit  Francis  ftudious  and  careful  to  eftablifh  our  Liberties  ;  and  we  had 
vernor.  here,  by  the  ready  Concurrence  and  Co-operation  of  this 
excellent  Governor,  a  Petition  of  Right  paffed,  above  four 
Years,  before  that  Matter  was  indubitably  fettled  and  ex- 
plained in  England.  For  thefe  two  Articles  contain  the 
fame  in  Effedi,  as  that  famous  explanatory  and  fundamental 
Law  of  the  EngUfi  Constitution  ;  viz.  The  firm  Property 
of  the  Subje6ls  Goods  and  Eftates,  and  the  Liberty  of 
their  Perfons. 

The  other  Articles  enacted  :  That  all  the  old  Planters, 
who  were  here  before,  or  came  in  at  the  laft  Arrival  of 
Sir  Thomas  Gates  (in  Auguji  161 1.)  fhould  both  themfelves 
and  their  Pofterity,  except  fuch  as  were  employed  to  com- 
mand in  Chief,  be  exempted  from  their  perfonal  Service  in 
the  Wars,  and  from  all  other  publick  Charges  (Church 
Duties  only  excepted)  but  without  the  like  Exemption  of 
their  Servants  and  Families  :  That  no  Bursefs  of  the  Ge- 
neral  Aflembly  fhould  be  arrefl:ed,  during  the  fitting  of  the 
AflTembly,  and  a  Week  before  and  Week  after  ;  upon  Pain 
of  the  Creditor's  forfeiting  his  Debt,  and  fuch  Punifhment 
upon  the  Officer,  as  the  Court  fhould  award  :  That  there 
fhould  be  Courts  kept  once  a  A'lonth,  in  the  Corporations 
of  Charles-City  and  Elifaheth-City^  for  deciding  Suits  and 
Controverfies,  not  exceeding  the  Value  of  one  hundred 
Pounds  of  Tobacco,  and  for  punifhing  petty  Offences  ; 
and  that  the  Commanders  of  the  Places,  with  fuch  others, 
as  the  Governor  and  Council  fhould  appoint  by  Commiffion, 
fhould  be  Judges,  the  Commanders  to  be  of  the  Quorum., 
and  Sentence  given  by  Majority  of  Voices  ;  with  Referva- 
tion  neverthelefs  of  Appeal,  after  Sentence,  to  the  Gover- 
nor and  Council ;  and  that  whofoever  appealed  and  was  cafl 
upon  fuch  Appeal,  fhould  pay  double  Damages  :  That 
every  private  Planter's  Dividend  of  Land  fhould  be  furveyed 
and  laid  off  feparately,  and  the  Bounds  recorded  by  the  Sur- 
veyor, who  fhould  have  ten  Pounds  of  Tobacco  for  every 
hundred  Acres  furveyed  \  and  that  all  petty  Differences,  be- 
tween Neighbours  about  their  Bounds,  fhould  be  decided 
by  the  Surveyor,  but  if  of  Importance,  referred  to  the 
Governor  and  Council  :  That,  for  the  People's  Encourage- 
ment to  plant  Store  of  Co  rn,  the  Price  fhould  be  left 
free,  and  every  Man  might  fell  it,  as  dear  as  he  could : 
(For  the  Governor  and  Council  did  then,  and  long  after- 
wards, fet  a  Rate  Yearly  upon  all  Commodities,  with  Pe- 
nalties upon  thofe,  who  exceeded  it)  That  there  fhould  be 
a  publick  Granery  in  each   Parifli,  to  which  every  Planter, 

above 


Book  V.       'The   History    of  VIRGINIA.  321 

above  eighteen  Years  of  Age,  who  had  been  in  the  Country      '624. 

a  Year,   and  was   alive  at    the  Crop,   fhould    contribute   a' y ' 

Barrel  of  Corn,  to  be  difpofed  of,  for  the  publick  Ufes  of  ^"'  ^'"""' 
the  Parifh,  by  the  major  Part  of  the  Freemen  ;  the  Remain-  ^^^^l  ^°' 
der  to  be  taken  out  by  the  Owners,  Yearly  on  St.  Thojtias'i 
Day,  and  the  new  brought  and  put  in  it's  Room  :  That 
three  capable  Men,  of  every  Parifh,  fhould  be  fworn,  to 
fee,  that  every  Man  planted  and  tended  Corn  fufficient  for 
his  Family  ;  and  that  thofe,  who  negleded  fo  to  do,  fliould 
be  prefented  by  the  faid  three  Men,  to  the  Cenfure  of  the 
Governor  and  Council :  That  all  Trade  with  the  Indians  for 
Corn,  as  well  publick  as  private,  fhould  be  prohibited,  after 
the  'June  following  :  That  every  Freeman  fhould  fence  in  a 
Quarter  of  an  Acre  of  Ground,  before  the  Whitfuntide  next 
enfuing,  for  planting  Vines,  Herbs,  Roots,  and  the  like, 
under  the  Penalty  of  ten  Pounds  of  Tobacco  a  Man  ;  but 
that  no  Man,  for  his  own  Family,  fliould  be  obliged  to 
fence  above  an  Acre  ;  and  that  whofoever  had  fenced  a  Gar- 
den, and  was  outed  of  the  Land,  fhould  be  paid  for  it  by 
the  Owner  of  the  Soil  ;  and  that  they  fhould  alfo  plant 
Mulberry  Trees  :  That  the  Proclamations  againft  Swearing 
and  Drunkennefs,  fet  forth  by  the  Governor  and  Council, 
were  ratified  by  this  AfTembly  ;  and  it  was  farther  ordered, 
that  the  Churchwardens  fhould  be  fworn,  to  prefent  all  Of- 
fenders, to  the  Commanders  of  their  refpedlive  Plantations  ; 
and  that  they  fliould  colle6f:  the  Forfeitures  for  publick  Ufes  : 
That  a  Proclamation  fliould  be  read  aboard  every  Ship,  and 
afterwards  fixed  to  the  Maft,  prohibiting  them,  without 
fpecial  Order  from  the  Governor  and  Council,  to  break 
Bulk,  or  make  private  Sale  of  any  Commodities,  till  they 
came  up  to  'James-City  :  That  the  ancient  Rates  of  Com- 
modities fhould  be  ftill  in  Force  ;  and  that  Men  fhould  be 
fworn,  in  every  Plantation,  to  cenfure  the  Tobacco  :  (So  old 
are  the  firfl  Rudiments  of  our  Tobacco-Law  ;  which  never- 
thelefs,  after  fuch  long  Experience,  raifed  much  Oppofition 
and  Difturbance :)  That  there  fhould  be  no  Weights  or 
Meafures  ufed,  but  fuch  as  were  fealed,  by  Officers  appoint- 
ed for  that  Purpofe  :  That  every  Dwelling-houfe  fhould  be 
Palifadoed  in,  for  Defence  againfl  the  Indians :  That  no 
Man  fliould  go,  or  fend  abroad,  without  a  fufficient  Party, 
well  armed  :  That  Men  fhould  not  go  to  Work,  without 
their  Arms  and  a  Sentinel  fet :  That  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Plantations  fhould  not  go  on  board  Ships,  or  upon  any  other 
Occafion,  in  fuch  Numbers,  as  therebv  to  weaken  and  en- 
danger the  Plantation  :  That  the  Commander  of  every  Plan- 
tation fhould  take  Care,  that  there  be  fufficient  of  Powder 
and    Ammunition   within    his    Plantation  ;    and    that    their 

Pieces 


322  rbe   History   of  VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1624.     Pieces  be  fixed,  and  Arms  compleat  :  That  there  be  fuffi- 
^- — r-^^-^  cient  Watch  kept,  every  Night :   That  no  Commander  of 
Sir  Francis  ^j^y  Plantation  fhould  either  fpend  himfelf,  or  fufFer  others 
vernor    °"  ^*^    fpend   Powder   unneceffarily,    in     Drinking,  Entertain- 
ments, and  the  Hke  :  That  fuch  Perfons  of  Condition,  as 
were   found   dehnquent  in  their  Duty,  and  were  not  fit  to 
undergo    corporal    Punifhment,   might   notwuthftanding    be 
imprifoned  at  the   Difcretion  of   the   Commander,  and  for 
greater  Offences  be  fubje^l  to  a  Fine,  infli6f:ed  by  the  Month- 
ly Court  ;    fo  that  it  did  not  exceed   the  Value   abovefaid  : 
That  every  Perfon  who  had  not  found  a  Man  at  the  Caftle 
(then  building  at  Warrafqueake)  fhould  pay,  for  himfelf  and 
Servants,  five  Pounds  of  Tobacco  a  Head,  towards  defray- 
ing the    Charge   of  thofe,  who   had    their  Servants  there  : 
l^hat,  at  the    Beginning  of  July  following,  every  Corpora- 
tion fhould  fall  upon  their  adjoining  Indians  ;   and  that  thofe 
who   fhould  be   hurt  upon  the  Service,  fhould  be  cured  at 
the  publick  Expence  ;  and  if  any  were  lamed,  they  fhould 
be  maintained   by  the  Country,  according  to  their  Perfon 
and  Quality  :  That  for  difcharging  fuch   publick  Debts,  as 
their  Troubles  had  brought  upon  them,  there  fhould  be  le- 
vied ten  Pounds  of  Tobacco  upon  every  Male,  above  fixteen 
Years  of  Age,  then  living  ;  but  not  including  fuch,  as  had 
arrived  fince  the  Beginning  of  July  lafl  :  That  no  Perfon, 
within  this  Colony,  fhould  prefume,  upon  the   Rumour  of 
any  fuppofed  Change  and  Alteration  in  England^  to   be  dif- 
obedient  to  the  prefent  Government,  nor  Servants  to  their 
private    Maflers,   Officers,   or    Overfeers,  at   their   utmofl 
Peril.      And  the  lafl  Article  related  to  fending  Mr.  Pountis 
to  England^  and  levying  four  Pounds  of  Tobacco  a  Head, 
to  fupport  his  Expences.     Moft  of  thefe  Laws  were  taken 
from  preceeding  Proclamations  and  Orders  of  the  Governor 
and  Council ;  and   I   find,  that  the   Governor  was  obliged, 
foon  after,  to  ifTue  a  Proclamation,  forbidding  Women  to 
contract  themfelves  to  two  feveral  Men  at  one  time.      For 
Women  being  yet  fcarce  and  much  in  requefl,  this  Offence 
was  become  very  common  ;  whereby  great  Difquiet  arofe 
between  Parties,  and  no  fmall  Trouble  to  the  Government. 
It  was  therefore  ordered ;  That  every  Minifler  fhould  give 
Notice  in   his   Church,  that  what   Man   or  Woman  foever 
fhould  ufe   any  Word  or  Speech,  tending  to  a  Contra6l  of 
Marriage,  to  two   feveral   Perfons  at  one  time,  altho'   not 
precife  and  legal,  yet  fo  as  might  entangle  or  breed  Scruple 
in  their  Confciences,  fhould,  for  fuch  their  Offence,  either 
undergo   corporal  Correftion,  or  be  punifhed    by  Fine,  or 
otherwife,  according  to  the   Quality  of  the   Perfon  fo  of- 
fending. 

But 


Book  V.     The   History    of   VIRGINIA.  223 

But  whilft  the  Commiflioners  were  pufliing  the  Court  '624. 
DefiGjns  in  Virginia^  the  opponent  Faction  in  England  were'''^"~N^ — "^ 
not  lefs  diligent  and  induftrious  to  blacken  and  defame  the^"'  ^''^"^'^ 
Company.  To  this  end,  they  engaged,  according  to  their  yg^^^^^J. 
ufual  Method,  fome  Planters,  lately  returned  from  Virgi- 
nia^ to  petition  and  complain  to  his  Majefty.  Neither  was 
it  a  difficult  thing,  among  fo  many  weak,  indigent,  or 
wicked  Perfons,  as  were  concerned  in  the  Plantations,  to 
procure  fome  to  fecond  and  abet  any  Complaint,  however 
falfe  and  unjuft.  Among  other  Matters  of  Grievance,  thev 
complained  of  the  many  Impofitions  and  Levies,  laid  upon 
the  Planters  towards  the  Support  of  the  Company,  from 
whom  they  were  wont  formerly  to  receive  Relief ;  and 
therefore  they  befought  his  Majefty,  to  take  them  into  his 
Royal  Mercy  and  Prote6tion,  and  to  free  them  for  the  future 
from  the  grievous  Impofitions  of  the  faid  Company.  But 
Mr.  Deputy  Farrar  defired  them,  to  fet  down  in  Writing 
the  particular  Grievances  and  Oppreffions,  which  they  thus 
complained  of  in  general ;  that  the  Company  might  thereby 
be  enabled  to  return  a  full  and  particular  Anfwer.  This 
they  promifed  to  do,  but  afterwards,  upon  better  Advice, 
refufed  ;  till  at  length,  being  farther  prefled,  they  brought 
nine  Articles,  which  however  they  could  not  be  induced  to 
fubfcribe,  being  reftrained  by  thofe  behind  the  Scene.  Thefe 
Articles  contained  criminal  Charges  of  a  very  high  Nature, 
and  fome  of  them  Capital,  againft  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil in  Virginia  ;  fo  that  the  Lawyers  of  the  Company  de- 
clared, that  the  Perfons  who  prefented  them,  except  they 
could  maintain  and  make  them  good,  had  incurred  the  Pe- 
nalty of  Libellers.  But  at  laft,  after  much  Shuffling  and 
Abfurdity  of  Complaint  and  Accufation,  the  Complainants 
in  general,  and  one  Perry  in  particular,  confefled,  that  al- 
tho'  they  pretended  to  have  Authority  and  Commiffion  from 
the  Planters  in  Virginia  to  make  thefe  Complaints,  yet  the 
Whole,  both  the  Petition  and  Grievances,  were  entirely 
framed  in  England.  Wherefore  the  Company,  perceiving, 
they  had  been  abufed  and  drawn  into  it  by  the  Malice  of 
others,  thought  fit  to  pafs  it  over,  in  Favour  and  Com- 
paffion  to  their  Ignorance  and  Credulity. 

Upon  Occafion  of  thefe  grievous  Accufations  againft  the 
Governor  and  Council,  Sir  Francis  IVyafs  Character  and 
Conduct  were  called  much  into  Queftion  and  canvafled. 
But  he  was  fufficiently  cleared  by  the  reft  of  the  Planters 
then  in  England;  who  gave  ample  Teftimony  to  the  Wor- 
thinefs  and  Uprightnefs  of  his  Proceedings,  and  declared 
upon  their  Confciences,  that  they  esteemed  him  to  be  a  moft 
juft  and  fincere  Gentleman,  and   free  from  all   Manner  of 

Cor- 


324  'T^he   History   of  VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

1624-      Corruption  and  private  Ends.      As  therefore  he  had,  by  a 

^ Y      •  Letter   to  the  Company,  declared  his  Defire  to  leave  the 

S^  •'^''^"^'^  Government  at  the  Expiration  of  his  Commiflion,  which 
ve/nor  would  be  fliortly,  they  took  the  Matter  into  their  ferious 
Confideration.  But  finding,  that  he  had  given  very  great 
Satisfa6lion  to  the  Colony,  as  appeared  by  the  Report  of 
the  Planters  ;  and  confidering  alfo,  how  much  the  Compa- 
ny was  in  his  Debt,  by  not  furnifliing  him  with  his  legal 
Number  of  Tenants,  and  that  they  had  no  Means  left  to 
make  good  their  Promife  to  him,  much  lefs  were  they  able 
to  fet  out  a  new  Governor,  it  was  thought  beft  and  moft 
advifeable,  to  continue  him  ftill  in  his  Office.  But  fome  of 
the  opponent  Fa6lion  moving,  that  Sir  Samuel  Argall^  in 
Regard  of  his  Worth,  and  of  his  Defire  for  the  Place,  might 
ftand  in  Ele6lion  with  him,  they  were  both  ballotted  ;  and 
Sir  Francis  Wyat  was  chofen  by  having  fixty  nine  Balls,  and 
Sir  Samuel  Argall  only  eight.  And  as  the  Company  was 
then  unable  to  fend  over  more  Men  to  him,  it  was  ordered, 
that  he  fhould  be  fupplied  with  his  full  Complement,  out 
of  the  Company's  Tenants  in  Virginia  ;  and  the  Confidera- 
tion of  fome  Recompence,  for  his  former  Lofs  and  Difap- 
pointment,  was  referred  to  the  next  Quarter  Court. 

The  laft  Parliament,  out  of  their  Love  and  Efteem  for 
Virginia^  but  more  efpecially  out  of  Regard  to  the  Advance- 
ment of  the  Trade  of  England^  had  taken  into  their  Con- 
fideration the  Cafe  of  the  Plantation  Tobacco,  and  had  enter- 
ed into  a  very  good  Courfe  about  it  ;  but  by  Reafon  of  their 
fudden  Adjournment  and  Breach  with  the  King,  they  were 
obliged  to  leave  it  unfiniflied.  The  Company  therefore, 
being  encouraged  by  this,  and  quite  wearied  out  by  the 
equivocal  and  fufpicious  Condu6i:  of  the  King  and  his  Mi- 
nifliers,  prefented  a  Petition  to  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  fet- 
ting  forth  : 

That  after  divers  Difcoveries  had  confirmed  the  Opi- 
nion, that  Virginia  was  fituate  in  a  temperate  and  wholfome 
Climate,  that  the  Soil  was  rich  and  fertile,  the  Country 
well  watered  with  fruitful  and  navigable  Rivers,  and  that 
their  Ships,  through  a  fair  Sea,  might  have  a  comfortable 
falling  in  on  a  fafe  Coaft,  it  pleafed  God  fo  to  afFe6l  the 
Minds  of  divers  worthily  difpofed  Noblemen,  Gentlemen, 
and  others,  as  to  think  it  a  Matter  of  great  Religion  and 
Honour,  to  endeavour  the  Propagation  of  Chriftianity  among 
thofe  barbarous  People,  and  to  gain  fuch  a  hopeful  Addition 
of  Territory  to  his  Majefl:y's  Dominions  :  That  his  Ma- 
jefty  alfo,  being  informed  thereof,  and  apprehending,  that 
great  Honour  and  Commodity  would  thence  arife  to  this 
Kingdom,  was  pleafed,  by  his  moft  gracious  Letters-patent 

of 


F 


Book  V.       The   History  of  VIRGINIA. 

of  Incorporation,  from  time  to  time  renewed  and  enlarged, 
to  confer  as  ample  Privileges  and  Immunities,  both  for  their 
Affiftance,  who  fhould  become  Diredtors  of  the  Bufmefs  at  ^"'  ^'■''""'^ 
home,  and  for  their  Comfort  and  Encouragement,  that  yg^jj^^^'^ 
would  fettle  and  inhabit  the  Country,  as  could  be  then  fore- 
feen  or  defired  :  That  this  gave  fo  general  an  Encourage- 
ment, that  Noblemen,  Knights,  Gentlemen,  Citizens,  and 
others,  in  great  Numbers,  became  Adventurers  ;  who,  be- 
fides  their  Money,  afforded  many  other  Helps  by  their  In- 
duftry,  towards  the  Advancement  and  Perfection  of  this 
noble  Work :  And  that,  notwithftanding  a  Multitude  of 
Accidents  and  Difafters,  incident  to  fuch  Undertakings  in 
a  remote  and  favage  Country,  yet  it  pleafed  God,  often  to 
enliven  their  Hopes  and  Endeavours,  by  fuch  an  undoubted 
Probability  of  obtaining,  at  leaft  for  the  Publick  and  Pofte- 
rity,  fo  beneficial  a  Retribution  for  all  their  Pains  and  Ex- 
pence,  as  would,  in  the  End,  crown  their  Labours  with 
as  much  Glory,  Honour,  and  Profit  to  the  Realm  of  En- 
gland^ as  could  be  well  wifhed  or  expelled. 

They  then  proceeded  to  recount  the  feveral  Emolu- 
ments and  Advantages  to  England^  which  they  had  in  their 
View  and  Expectation,  i.  The  Converfion  of  the  Savages 
to  Chri/iianit)\  and  eftablifhing  the  firft  Colony  of  the  Re- 
formed Religion.  2.  The  difcharging  the  Overplus  of 
neceffitous  People,  which  adminiftered  Fewel  to  dangerous 
InfurreClions,  and  the  leaving  greater  Plenty  for  thofe,  who 
remained.  3.  The  gaining  a  large  Territory,  already 
known  to  be  great,  and  which  might  prove  much  greater  ; 
whofe  Fertility  of  Soil,  and  Temperature  of  Clime,  agreed 
well  with  the  EngliJJ)^  and  produced  by  Nature  and  In- 
duftry,  whatever  ufeful  Commodities  were  found  in  any 
known  Country.  4.  The  beneficial  Fifheries  difcovered  ; 
which,  together  with  the  continual  Intercourfe  and  Com- 
merce between  People  of  the  fame  Nation,  would  contri- 
bute exceedingly  to  the  Increafe  of  the  Englijh  Trade  and 
Navigation.  5.  The  vaft  Quantity  of  Timber  and  Mate- 
rials, for  building  and  fetting  forth  Ships  ;  whereof  there 
was  a  great  Scarcity  throughout  all  Europe.  6.  The  Aflu- 
rance,  that  many  rich  Trades  might  be  found  out  there, 
and  driven  on  to  the  incredible  Benefit  of  the  Nation  ;  be- 
fides  the  no  fmall  Hopes  of  an  eafy  and  fiiort  Paffage  to 
the  South  Sea,  either  by  Sea  or  Land.  7.  The  ineftimable 
Advantage,  that  would  be  gained,  in  Cafe  of  War,  both 
for  the  eafy  affaulting  the  Spanijh  JVeJl-lndies^  and  for  the 
relieving  and  fuccouring  all  Ships  and  Men  of  War  ;  the 
Want  whereof  had  in  former  times,  difappointed  and  over- 
thrown fo  many  Voyages.      But  hereby  the  Benefit  to  the 

Englijh 


326  'The   History   of   VIRGINIA.      Book  V. 

1624.  Englifi)  would  be  certain,  and  the  Enemy's  Lofs  and  An- 
■"^ — v"-^  noyance  inevitable.  After  which,  they  went  on  in  the  fol- 
Sir  Franch  lowing  Manner  : 

venior  ""  B  u  T  fo  it  is,  that  now,  when  the  natural  Difficulties, 
incident  to  all  new  Plantations,  are  by  Diligence  and  Tra£t 
of  Time,  but  moft  efpecially  by  the  Bleffing  of  Almighty 
God,  in  a  great  Meafure  overcome  ;  yet  there  have  rifen 
other  unnatural  Impediments,  proceeding  from  Fa6lion  and 
Difcord,  from  the  cunning  Courfes  and  PracStifes  of  fome 
Perfons,  who  tended  wholly  to  their  own  Profit,  from  Mif- 
em.ployment  of  the  publick  Stock,  falfe  Accounts,  and  the 
like  Corruptions  and  Diverfions  from  the  main  Bufinefs ;  and 
that  thefe  were  fo  encreafed  of  late,  and  fupported  by  ftrong 
Hand,  as  threatened  fpeedy  Ruin  and  Deftruilion  to  that 
excellent  Work,  if  Remedies  were  not  timely  applied  :  That 
they,  the  Council  and  Company  of  Virginia^  differed  not 
a  little  from  other  Companies  ;  as  well  in  their  Compofition, 
confifting  of  principal  Noblemen,  Gentlemen,  Merchants 
and  others  j  as  in  the  Ends,  for  which  they  were  eftablifh- 
ed,  being  not  fimply  for  Matter  of  Trade,  but  for  things 
of  a  higher  and  more  publick  Nature  :  That  neverthelefs, 
finding  themfelves,  in  their  Body,  as  it  was  then  diftempered, 
unable  to  be  their  own  Phyficians  without  higher  Affiftance, 
they  thought  it  their  Duty,  as  well  to  clear  their  own  Re- 
putation, as  in  Difcharge  of  their  Confcience,  and  of  the 
Truft  repofed  in  them,  to  reprefent  to  the  Parliament  this 
Child  of  the  Nation,  expofed,  as  in  the  Wildernefs,  to  ex- 
treme Danger,  and  then  fainting,  as  it  were,  and  labouring 
for  Life. 

They  therefore  humbly  entreated  that  honourable 
Houfe,  to  take  into  their  Commiferation,  the  diftreffed  Co- 
lony and  oppreffed  Company  ;  and  to  receive  an  Account 
from  fuch  of  his  Majefty's  Council  for  Virginia^  as,  being 
Members  of  their  Houfe,  had  been  appointed  by  the  Com- 
pany, to  give  them  a  full  and  exa6t  Relation  of  all  their 
Grievances  and  Oppreffions  :  Which,  tho'  of  fundry  Kinds, 
yet  had  received  (as  they  doubted  not  to  make  evident)  ei- 
ther their  Original  or  Strength  from  the  Lord  High  Trea- 
furer,  out  of  his  private  and  unjuft  Defigns  ;  not  only  to 
almoft  the  Overthrow  of  the  Colony,  but  alfo  to  the  Decep- 
tion of  his  Majefty  in  his  Profit  and  Revenue,  to  the  great 
Prejudice  of  the  whole  Kingdom  in  Matter  of  Trade,  and 
even  to  Points  of  dangerous  Confequence  to  the  Liberty  of 
the  Subject. 

This  Proceeding  was  certainly  no  ways  grateful  to  the 
King,  who  conceived  himfelf  much  injured  and  affronted, 
if  the   Parliament  entered   upon   any   Confideration,  which 

was 


Book  V.       The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  327 

was  not  recommended  to  them  by  himfelf.      For  he  looked      ^^24. 

upon  them,  not  as  the  grand  Council  of  the  Nation,  but  of  ""-"^^v ' 

the  King  ;  and  expedted,  that  they  fliould  proceed  with  the^  Francis 
abje6l  Adulation  and  Submiilion  of  his  Privy  Council,  and  veiw)r. 
never  touch  upon  any  difagreeable  Subje6ls.  But  above  all. 
Matters  of  Grievance  were  the  Points,  on  which  he  was 
moft  tender  and  touchy,  and  would  often  winch  grievouf- 
ly  ;  and  altho'  the  thing  was  difguifed,  and  even  Praifes 
were  given  him  in  fome  Parts  of  this  Petition,  yet  it  was 
evidently  levelled,  in  the  main,  againft  him  and  his  Minif- 
ters.  However,  as  his  Majefty  had  called  this  Parliament 
with  quite  different  Views,  and  treated  it  in  a  quite  different 
Manner  from  the  laft,  he  took  no  Notice  of  it,  but  permit- 
ted it  to  take  its  Courfe  in  the  Houfe.  Its  Reception  was 
alfo  fecured  by  the  Complaints,  in  the  latter  Part,  againft 
the  Lord  High  Treafurer  ;  whom  Buckingham  and  the  Prince 
were,  at  this  time,  pulling  down  and  tearing,  as  it  were, 
with  great  Violence  from  the  King's  Side,  not  without  very 
great  Pain  and  Grief  to  his  Majefty. 

This  Petition  was  committed  to  the  Deputy,  and  fuch 
others  of  the  Council,  as  were  alfo  Members  of  the  Houfe 
of  Commons  ;  to  prefent  it  to  their  Houfe,  in  the  Name 
of  the  Council  and  Company  of  Virginia.  It  was  received 
by  the  Commons  very  acceptably,  notwithftanding  fome 
Oppofition  at  firft  ;  and  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  hear 
and  examine  their  Grievances  and  Oppreflions,  to  which 
all  of  the  Company,  that  were  Members  of  the  Houfe,  were 
admitted,  to  come  and  to  hear,  but  not  to  have  any  Voice. 
But  conceiving,  that  Counfel  at  Law  could  not  be  fo  fully 
informed  of  all  Paflages,  as  was  requifite,  and  would  not 
perhaps  be  fo  cordially  concerned,  or  favourably  heard, 
they  divided  their  Grievances  into  four  feveral  Heads,  and 
committed  them  to  the  following  Gentlemen,  to  deliver 
and  fpeak  to  them.  i.  The  Cafe  of  their  Tobacco,  with 
all  the  Oppreflions  and  Impofitions  upon  it,  was  committed 
to  Mr.  Deputy-Treafurer,  Nicholas  Farrar :  2.  The  Bufi- 
nefs  of  the  Contra6l,  to  Sir  Edwin  Sandys :  3.  The  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Commiflioners,  to  the  Lord  Cavendijh  : 
4.  All  Paffages  and  Meafures  fmce,  to  Sir  "John  Davers. 
And  all  thefe  Gentlemen,  but  efpecially  the  Lord  Cavendijh^ 
did  very  nobly  and  chearfully  undertake,  to  perform  and 
make  good  their  feveral  Parts. 

It  was  the  Misfortune  of  thefe  Affairs,  to  be  brought 
into  Parliament  very  late  in  the  Seflions  ;  and  they  were 
befides  of  a  very  tender  and  delicate  Nature.  For,  in  their 
Procefs  and  Iffue,  they  muft  have  turned  to  a  plain  Ar- 
raignment of  the  Weaknefs  and  Unfairnefs,  or  even  of  the 
^^  Z  down- 


328  The   History    of   VIRGINIA.     Book  V. 

1624.  downright  Injuftice  and  Oppreflivenefs  of  the  King's  Con- 
^-""Y^^^  du6t  towards  the  Company  and  Colony.  The  main  Bull- 
Svc  Francis  j^g{-g  therefore  of  their  Oppreilions  and  Grievances  did  not 
▼ernor.  proceed  in  Parhament,  but  was  waved  and  flurred  over  in 
Silence.  But  the  particular  Cafe  of  Tobacco,  by  the  ex- 
ceeding Care  and  Wifdom  of  Sir  Edwin  Sajidys^  ailifted  by 
the  Lord  Cavendi/h^  and  the  other  Gentlemen  of  the  Com- 
pany, who  had  Seats  in  Parliament,  was  brought  to  a  hap- 
py liTue.  For  the  Importation  of  foreign  Tobacco  was  put, 
as  one  of  the  nine  Grievances  of  the  Realm  in  Point  of  Trade, 
which  this  SeiTion  prefented  to  his  Majeftv,  and  defired  Re- 
lief in.  And  altho'  this  was  done  profeffedly  for  the  Good 
of  England^  without  any  A'lention  or  Relation  to  Fh'ginia^ 
yet  the  Deputy  told  the  Company,  that  he  doubted  not, 
but  the  whole  Houfe  had,  in  their  Hearts,  an  efpecial  Re- 
gard to  the  Advancement  of  the  Colonies.  And  as  this 
Courfe  was  as  effectual  for  Exclufion  of  Spani/h  Tobacco, 
as  if  it  had  been  done  by  Bill,  fo  was  it  much  better,  than 
if  it  had  been  done  by  the  Bill,  which  was  drawn  the  laft 
Parliament.  For  fmce  that  Time,  the  State  and  Price  of 
Tobacco  was  fo  much  altered,  that  it  could  then  no  ways 
bear  the  twelve  Pence  a  Pound  Duty,  which  that  Bill  laid 
upon  it,  but  muft  thereby  have  been  as  certainlv  ruined  and 
overthrown,  as  by  any  other  Courfe.  But  this  fecond  Way 
brought  with  it  all  the  Good  of  the  Bill,  and  left  out  all  its 
Evil.  Wherefore,  he  faid,  it  could  not  be  too  much  com- 
mended, nor  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  to  whom  they  were  be- 
holden for  it,  fufficiently  thanked.  And  it  may  be  here  far- 
ther obferved,  that  the  King's  Meafures  by  this  time  were 
entirely  reverfed.  For  the  Spanijh  Match  was  now  broke 
off,  and  even  War  was  declared  againft  the  King  of  Spain^ 
and  the  whole  Houfe  of  Jujiria,  So  that  the  Intereft  of 
England  would  no  longer  be  obliged  to  ftoop  to  the  Intereft 
of  Spain  ;  and  a  Prohibition  of  their  Tobacco  would  be  ea- 
fily  granted,  as  it  agreed  with  the  prefent  Pallions  and  Mea- 
fures of  the  Court. 

This  was  the  laft  Service  that  Sir  Edwin  Sandys^  or  the 
Company,  were  able  to  do  the  Colony  and  Trade.  For 
foon  after.  Captain  Harvey  and  Mr.  Pory^  the  Privy  Coun- 
cil's Commiilioners,  returned  from  Virginia.  What  their 
Report  was  of  the  State  of  the  Colony,  I  cannot  difcover  ; 
but  we  may  eafily  judge,  by  the  Principles  and  Difpofitions 
of  the  Men,  that  it  was  not  much  to  the  Honour  or  Advan- 
tage of  the  prefent  Government.  Upon  their  Return  there- 
fore, his  Majefty  was  pleafed,  by  a  Proclamation  bearing 
Date  the  15th  of  y«/)',  1624,  to  fupprefs  the  Courfe  of  their 
Courts  at  Deputy  Farrar's.      And  for  the  prefent  Ordering 

of 


Book  V.       'T:he   History    c/  VIRGINIA.  329 

of  the  Affairs  of  the  Colony,  'till  a  fuller  and  more  perfedl      '624. 

Settlement  of  them  could  be  made,  the  Lord  Prefident  of' v — -^ 

his  Majefty's  Privy  Council,  with  other  Privy  Counfellors,  ^i''  ^''^"'^'^ 
and  feveral  Knights  and  Gentlemen,  were  appointed  to  vg^no*  °" 
meet,  every  Thurfday  in  the  Afternoon,  at  Sir  Thomas  Smith's 
Houfe,  in  Phi/pot-L,a.ne ;  whither  all  Perfons,  whom  it 
might  concern,  were  ordered  to  repair.  And  thus  Sir  Tho- 
mas Smith  triumphed  over  the  Companies  and  the  Colonies  ; 
and  notwithftanding  the  authentic  Reprefentations  of  the 
Company  in  England^  and  our  General  Affembly  here  a- 
gainft  him,  and  the  plain  Detection  of  his  Cruelties  and  Op- 
preilions,  to  all  Men  of  common  Senfe  and  common  Juftice, 
yet  he  did  at  laft  recover  his  Power  again,  and  was  the  Per- 
fon  chiefly  depended  upon,  by  the  Solomon  of  that  Age,  in 
all  Matters  relating  to  them.  For  the  Somer-Ijlands  Courts 
had  been  fuppreffed  fome  Months  before,  by  a  fimple  Let- 
ter from  the  King  ;  and  Meetings  appointed,  at  Sir  Thomas 
Smith's^  for  the  Management  of  their  Affairs.  But  thefe 
Meetings  were  without  the  Mixture  of  any  Privy  Coun- 
fellors, and  wholly  confifted  of  himfelf  and  his  Creatures. 
And  by  this  time,  in  the  Abfence  of  Sir  Edward  Sackvil^ 
now  Earl  of  Dorfet^  their  Governor,  who  had,  the  Year 
before,  fucceeded  the  Lord  Cavendijh^  now  alfo  Earl  of  De- 
vonfhire^  and  under  Colour  of  fome  Complaints  and  Diffen- 
tions,  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  appointed  Sir  Thomas 
Smith  again  Governor  of  that  Company  ;  affuming  to  them- 
felves  a  boundlefs  Power  of  placing  and  difplacing  legal  Offi- 
cers, as  they  pleafed.  This  Appointment,  Captain  Smith 
tells  us,  was  afterwards  confirmed,  and  Sir  Thomas  Stnith 
elefted  by  the  Court.  But  this  Court  was  only  his  Faction, 
who  affumed  to  themfelves  that  Name  and  Character.  For 
I  find,  that  many  of  the  Company,  and  as  it  appears,  a  vaft 
Majority,  complained  of  them,  and  declared  againft  their 
Meetings,  as  Ufurpations  upon  the  Government  of  the  Com- 
pany, and  no  ways  legal  or  valid. 

This  was  the  End  of  the  Virginia  Company  ;  one  of 
the  nobleft,  mofl  illuftrious,  and  publick-fpirited  Societies, 
that  ever  yet  perhaps  engaged  in  fuch  an  Undertaking.  It 
was  an  Event  certainly  of  Benefit  and  Advantage  to  the 
Country,  as  we  in  America  find  by  Experience,  that  it  is 
better  to  be  under  a  Royal  Government,  than  in  the  Hands 
of  Proprietors,  in  what  Shape  or  Manner  foever.  But  yet 
it  mufl  be  at  lafl  confeffed,  that  it  was  brought  about  with 
all  imaginable  Inflances  of  Unrighteoufnefs  and  Oppreflion  ; 
and  that  not  even  the  Decency  of  Forms  of  Law  were  kept 
up  or  regarded  in  it.  For  altho'  a  Writ  of  ^0  IVarranto 
(an  oppreilive  Writ   in   itfelf,  and  for  the  moft  part  turned 

Z  2  to 


330  Tbe   History    ^/'VIRGINIA.       Book  V. 

1624.     to  very   bafe  and   illegal    Purpofes)  was   iflued   againft  the 

' V       '  Company,  yet  I  cannot  underftand,  altho'  I  have  taken  no 

^^  ^'''^"^^  fmall  Pains  to  find  it  out,  that  it  ever  came  to  an  Ifliie  or 
vernor.  Determination.  And  to  diflblve  them  by  the  arbitrary  Au- 
thority of  a  Proclamation,  whilft  a  legal  Procefs  was  de- 
pending, feems  but  a  more  bare-faced  Injuftice  and  Oppref- 
fion.  Far  the  greater  Part  of  the  Company  did,  by  no 
means,  deferve  fuch  Treatment.  They  appear,  from  all 
the  Papers  and  Records  that  I  have  perufed,  to  have  been 
Gentlemen  of  very  noble,  clear,  and  difinterefted  Defigns  ; 
who,  as  they  were  above  the  Neceflity  of  any  Accefs  to 
their  own  Fortunes,  were  willing  and  intent  to  fpend  much 
of  their  Time  and  Money,  in  advancing  an  Undertaking 
which  they  juftly  conceived  to  be  of  very  great  Confequence 
to  their  Country.  And  even  Captain  Smithy  who  was  cer- 
tainly no  Friend  to  the  Company,  and  whofe  Hiftory  feems 
much  in  Honour  and  Vindication  of  Sir  Thomas  S?nith  and 
his  Government,  yet  owns,  that  fcarce  any  of  the  Nobility 
and  Gentry  expected  or  aimed  at  any  thing  elfe,  but  the 
Profperity  of  the  Adtion  :  And  he  was  confidently  perfua- 
ded,  that  fome  Merchants,  and  others,  took  more  Care 
and  Pains,  even  at  their  own  continual  great  Charge,  than 
they  could  be  hired  to,  for  the  Love  of  Money  ;  fo  honeftly 
regarding  the  general  Good  of  the  Enterprife,  that  they 
would  hold  it  worfe  than  Sacrilege,  to  wrong  it  but  a  Shil- 
ling, or  to  extort  a  Penny  upon  the  common  People. 

It  may  indeed  be  thought  fomething  ftrange,  how  fo 
many  Gentlemen,  of  the  nobleft  Fortunes  and  moft  publick 
Spirits  in  the  Nation,  could  fo  patiently  fubmit  to  fuch  evi- 
dent Injury  and  Wrong,  without  bringing  the  Matter  to  a 
legal  Trial.  But  they  had  been  much  harrafled  and  fatigued 
of  late,  by  the  Difcords  and  Fa6lions  in  the  Company  ; 
which,  they  plainly  faw,  were  fupported  and  abetted  by  the 
King,  for  fome  unjuft  and  partial  Views  of  his  own,  being 
much  charmed  with  the  unexpectedly  large  and  rifing  Re- 
venue from  Tobacco,  and  therefore  defirous  to  get  the 
Plantations  wholly  into  his  own  Hands.  They  had  alfo  ex- 
pended largely  above  an  hundred  thoufand  Pounds,  out  of 
their  own  private  Fortunes,  without  any  probable  Profpedl 
of  prefent  Retribution  or  Gain  to  themfelves  ;  and  they 
could  not  but  fee,  that  proceeding  in  the  Enterprife  would 
ftill  engage  them  in  farther  Expences,  for  which  they  would 
only  be  expofed  to  the  Abufes  and  Affronts  of  the  opponent 
Fa6lion,  and  to  Injuries  and  Oppreflions  from  the  King  and 
his  Council.  They  might  alfo  confider  perhaps  the  State 
of  the  Courts  of  Law  at  that  time,  which  could  give  them 
but  flender  Hopes  of  obtaining  any  Redrefs  there.      For  the 

Judges 


Book  V.     The   History   of  VIRGINIA.  331 

Judges  and  Oracles  of  Law  are  greatly  wronged  and  abufed,      '624. 

if  they  were   not   then,  like  the  lying  Oracle  of  old,  much ' y ' 

addicted  to  philippi-zing^  and  willing  to  raife  the  Royal  Pre-  ^"'  P''^""^ 
rogative  above  all  Reftraints  of  Law,  or  of  any  other  earthly  ve/rTor 
Power.  Their  original  Records,  on  which  their  Proofs 
muft  chiefly  depend,  had  likewife  been  taken  from  them 
by  the  Privy  Council.  And  the  Earl  of  Southaynpton^  who 
had  all  their  Eyes  and  Hearts  jfixed  upon  him,  after  languifli- 
ing  fome  time,  and  having  firft  loft  his  eldeft  Son,  the  Lord 
JVriothJley^  died  this  following  Winter  1624.  To  which 
may  be  added,  that  the  Succefs  of  the  Colonies  was  ftill 
doubtful,  without  the  King's  Favour  and  Protection  ;  or  at 
leaft  againft  his  Will,  and  the  perpetual  Stretch  of  his  Power 
thwarting  and  opprefling  them.  They  therefore  filently  ac- 
quiefced  and  fubmitted  to  this  illegal  Diffolution  ;  and  qui- 
etly withdrew  from  an  Affair,  which  had  coft  them  fo  much 
Money  and  Pains,  and  had  given  them  fuch  continual  Trou- 
ble and  Vexation. 


FINIS, 


Z  3  An 


A  N 


APPENDIX 

T  O    T  H  E 

Firft  Part  of  the 


H  I  S  T  O  R 


O  F 


I  RGI  NI  A: 


CONTAINING 

A  Colledtion  of  fuch  ancient  Charters 

or  Letters  Patent,  as  relate  to  that  Period 
of  Time,  and  are  ftill  extant  in  our  publick 
Offices  in  the  Capitol,  or  in  other  authentic 
Papers  and  Records. 


WILLIAMSBURG:    Printed    by  W.  Parks, 
M,DCC,XLVIL 


Ill 


THE 


PREFACE. 

B§'^'^'^  //;f  two  firji  of  the  following  Charters^  I  have 
'ip  r\  <i>c  fieri  four  Copies  \  one  among  the  oldejl  Records  in 
5x  ^  %9  ffjg  Secretary's  Office^  much  mangled  and  defaced ; 
'^  another  in  the  Council  Office^  tolerably  legible  ;  a 
third^  in  a  very  fair  Book  of  Records^  which  be- 
longs^ as  1  take  it^  to  the  Houfe  of  Burgeffes  Office  ;  and  the 
fourth  and  mofl  corre£i^  I  found  among  Sir  John  Randolph'j 
Papers^  tranfcribed  by  his  Clerk^  and  collated^  as  I  fuppofe^ 
from  different  Copies.  However.^  I  cart  venture  to  affure  the 
Reader.^  that  the  Edition.,  tuhich  I  here  give  by  the  Help  of 
the  two  laji  mentioned  Copies.,  is  Jiill  fuller  and  more  correal 
than  any  of  them.  Of  the  third  Charter  I  have  never  met 
with  but  one  Copy^  likewife  in  Sir  John  Randolph'j'  ColleSiion 
of  pub  lick  Papers.  It  is  pretty  correctly  tranfcribed ;  and  I 
hope.,  it  tvill  be  found.,  with  the  necejfary  Emendations.,  I  have 
made  in  it.,  very  complete  and  exaSi.  Thefe  are  all  the  King' s 
Charters  to  the  Company.,  that  I  have  been  able  to  find  \  al- 
though they  certainly  are  not  all.,  he  granted.  For  many  things 
are  mentioned  in  the  Company' s  Records.,  as  drawn  from  their 
Charters.,  which,  are  neverthelefs  not  to  be  found  in  thefe. 
But  to  thefe  Royal  Charters  I  have  added  a  fourth.  The 
Company's  Charter  and  Conftitution  of  a  Council  of  State 
and  a  General  Aflembly  ;  ivhich  I  found  in  the  above-men- 
tioned Book.,  belonging  to  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Houfe  of 
Burgeffes.  As  their  Authority  for  granting  it  was  unquejlion- 
able.,  and  as  it  is  of  an  important  Nature.,  and  the  firJl 
Draught  and  Foundation  of  the  Conftitution  of  this  Colony.,  i 
thought.,  an  Edition  of  it  luould  not  be  unacceptable  to  the 
learned  and  curious  Reader. 

I  once  intended  [as  Bijhop  Burnet  has  done.,  in  a  very  ufe- 
ful  and  fatisfaSiory  Manner.,  in   his  Hijiory  of  the  Reforma- 
tion) to   have   added  feveral   other   very   curious   Papers  and 
original   Pieces   of  Record.      But   I  perceive.,    to   my   no   fmall 
46  ■  Sur- 


iv  The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E. 

Siirprife  mtd  Mortificatmi^  that  fome  of  my  Countrymen  [and 
thofe  too^  Perfoyis  of  high  Fortune  and  Di/iiniiion)  feemed  to 
be  much  alarmed^  and  to  grudge^  that  a  complete  Hifiory  of 
their  own  Country  would  run  to  more  than  one  Volume^  and 
coji  them  above  half  a  Pi/iole.  I  was  therefore  obliged  to 
refrain  iny  Hand^  and  only  to  infert  thefe  few  mofi  neceffary 
Infiruments^  for  fear  of  enhajicing  the  Price ^  to  the  immenfe 
Charge  and  irreparable  Damage  of  fuch  generous  and  publick- 
fpirited  Gentlemen. 

I  thought  the  Publication  of  thefe  Charters  the  more  proper., 
as  I  conceive.,  that  they  have  never  been  legally  revoked^  and 
as  they  contain  things  of  very  great  Confequence  and  Concern. 
For  if  the  Inhabitants  and  Natives  of  these  Colonies  are  en- 
titled to  all  Liberties,  Franchifes,  and  Immunities  of  free 
Denizens  and  natural  Subjects,  to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes, 
as  if  they  had  been  abiding  and  born  within  the  Realm  of 
England.,  or  any  other  of  his  Majefty's  Dominions  {as  is 
exprefy  declared  in  Se^.  xv.  of  the  firji.,  and  Se£J.  xxii.  of 
the  fecond  Charter^  what  Poom  can  there  be  for  that  favijh 
DoSlrine.,  which  was  broached  by  a  fudge  of  New-York,  in 
a  criminal  Trial^  {the  Cafe  of  Col.  Bayard,  publijhed  in  the 
printed  Colle£lion  of  State  Trials)  that  altho'  petitioning  the 
King  was  no  Crime,  yet  it  might  be  fo,  to  petition  the 
Houfe  of  Commons  in  the  Plantations,  where  the  Kino- 
governs  by  his  PREROGATIVE  ;  a  Word  always 
doubtful.,  equivocal.,  and  fufpicious.,  but  to  be  fure  fruitful  of 
Tyranny  and  of  all  arbitrary  and  illegal  Opprejfion.,  when 
unfixed  and  unreflrained  by  the  Laiu.  And  what  Law  in 
the  Plantations  can  curb  the  Royal  Prerogative.,  which  is  faid 
to  be  as  ancient  as  the  Croiun  o/' England  itfelf  and  to  be 
always  inherent  and  infeper able  from  it  ?  But  it  is  not  to  be 
fuppofed.,  that  that  Dragoon  of  the  Long-Robe.,  ayid  legal 
Pander  to  Slavery.,  had  any  Thought  or  Defire.,  to  Jlop  with 
the  Laivs  the  Breach.,  which  he  endeavoured  to  make  in  the 
Liberties  of  the  Colonies  ;  or  to  flay.,  with  old  moldering 
Parchments.,  the  laiulefs  and  overwhelming  Waves  of  Prero- 
gative. 

BUT  farther:  If  we  have  a  Right  to  zW  the  Liberties, 
Franchifes,  and  Immunities  (?/^Engli(hmen,  in  vain  ivas  the 
Chicanery  of  K.  Charles  //,  and  at  lafi  his  abfolute  Refufal, 
in  the  Charter  which  he  granted  the  Colony.,  to  ratify  and  con- 
firm the  Power  and  Authority  of  the  Grand  Afiembly, 
confifting  of  the  Governor,  Council,  and  Bugefles  ;  as  alfo 
to  grant  and  declare.,  that  no  Manner  of  Impofitions  or 
Taxes  {hould  be  laid  on  the  Colony,  but  by  the  common 
Confent  of  the  Governor,  Council,  and  Burgefl'es,  as  had 
been   theretofore   ufed.      For  what   Liberty,   Franchife,   or 

Im- 


The    PREFACE. 

Immunity  is  dearer  or  ynore  ejfential  to  Engllfhmen,  thati  to 
be  fuhje£t  to  fuch  Laivs^  as  are  enaSied^  and  to  he  liable  to 
no  Taxes^  but  what  are  laid  upon  theni^  by  their  own  Confent^ 
in  a  Parliamentary  Way  ?  And  befides^  it  was  then  too  late 
to  abridge  the  Liberties  of  our  General  JJfemblies^  and  to  keep 
them  in  a  precarious  and  dependent  State^  as  that  Prince  [ne- 
ver a  Friend  to  the  Liberties  of  his  People  or  Mankind^  but 
about  that  time  particularly  plunged  in  arbitrary  Scheynes  and 
Dejigns)  endeavoured  to  do.  For  above  fifty  Tears  before 
that.,  the  Company  had  exprefy  e/labli/})ed  the  General  Affem- 
hly.,  by  the  fourth  Charter  in  this  ColleSiion^  and  by  a  Poiver 
immediately  derived  from  the  King.  And  fuppoftng  their  own 
Charters  were  afterwards  legally  revoked.,  yet  that  {xvhich 
they  granted  by  his  Majejly^ s  exprcfs  Authority  and  Direc- 
tion., and  whilji  their  oiun  Powers  were  in  full  Force  and  Va- 
lidity) will  not.,  I  prefume.,  confequently  fall  and  be  annulled 
with  them. 

THESE.,  and  the  like  Concluftons.,  will  naturally  arife 
from  the  following  Charters.  And  I  therefore  hope.,  I  floall 
need  no  other  Reafon  or  Apology.,  for  thus  giving  thein  to  the 
Publick. 


NO.  I. 


N°-  I. 

K.  James  L*s  Letters  Patent  to  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir 
George  Somers,  and  others^  for  two  feveral  Colonies  and 
Plantations^  to  be  made  in  Virginia,  and  other  Parts  and 
Territories  of  America.     Dated  April  lO,  1606. 

I.  'T  AMES,  hy  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  Engla?id,  Scot- 
I  land,  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c. 
Whereas  our  loving  and  well-difpofed  Subjeds,  Sir 
Thomas  Gates,  and  Sir  George  Somers,  Knights,  Richard 
Hacklmt,  Clerk,  Prebendary  of  Wejimnfler,  and  Edward-Maria 
Wing  field,  Thomas  Hanham,  and  Ralegh  Gilbert,  Efqrs.  William 
Parker,  and  George  Popham,  Gentlemen,  and  divers  others  of  our 
loving  Subjeds,  have  been  humble  Suitors  unto  us,  that  We  would 
vouchfafe  unto  them  our  Licence,  to  make  Habitation,  Planta- 
tion, and  to  deduce  a  Colony  of  fundry  of  our  People  into  that 
Part  of  America,  commonly  called  Virginia,  and  other  Parts 
and  Territories  in  America,  either  appertaining  unto  us,  or  which 
are  not  now  aftually  poflefled  by  any  Chnjlian  Prince  or  People, 
fituate,  lying,  and  being  all  along  the  Sea  Coafts,  between  four 
and  thirty  Degrees  of  Northerly  Latitude  from  the  Equinodial 
Line,  and  five  and  forty  Degrees  of  the  fame  Latitude,  and  in 
the  main  Land  between  the  fame  four  and  thirty  and  five  and 
forty  Degrees,  and  the  Iflands  thereunto  adjacent,  or  within  one 
hundred  Miles  of  the  Coafts  thereof; 

IL  And  to  that  End,  and  for  the  more  fpeedy  Accomplilh- 
ment  of  their  faid  intended  Plantation  and  Habitation  there,  are 
defirous  to  divide  themfelves  into  two  feveral  Colonies  and  Com- 
panies; The  one  confifting  of  certain  Knights,  Gentlemen,  Mer- 
chants, and  other  Adventurers,  of  our  City  of  London  and  elfe- 
where,  which  are,  and  from  time  to  time  fhall  be,  joined  unto 
them,  which  do  defire  to  begin  their  Plantation  and  Habitation  in 
fome  fit  and  convenient  Place,  between  four  and  thirty  and  one 
and  forty  Degrees  of  the  faid  Latitude,  alongft  the  Coafts  of 
Virginia  and  Coafts  of  America  aforefaid ;  And  the  other  con- 
fifting of  fundry  Knights,  Gentlemen,  Merchants,  and  other  Ad- 
venturers, of  our  Cities  of  Brijiol  and  Exeter,  and  of  our  Town 
of  Plimouth,  and  of  other  Places,  which  do  join  themfelves  unto 
that  Colony,  which  do  defire  to  begin  their  Plantation  and  Ha- 
bitation in  fome  fit  and  convenient  Place,  between  eight  and  thirty 
Degrees  and  five  and  forty  Degrees  of  the  faid  Latitude,  all  alongft 
the  faid  Coaft  of  Virginia  and  America,  as  that  Coaft  lyeth : 

III.  We,  greatly  commending,  and  gracioufly  accepting  of, 
their  Defires  for  the  Furtherance  of  fo  noble  a  Work,  which  may, 
by  the  Providence  of  Almighty  God,  hereafter  tend  to  the  Glory 
of  his  Divine   Majefty,  in    propagating  of   Chrijiian    Religion    to 

fuch 


2     K.  Ja?}ics's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  Jpnl  lo,  1606. 

fuch  People,  as  yet  live  in  Darknefs  and  miferable  Ignorance  of 
the  true  Knowledge  and  Worfhip  of  God,  and  may  in  time  bring 
the  Infidels  and  Savages,  living  in  thofe  Parts,  to  human  Civility, 
and  to  a  fettled  and  quiet  Government ;  D  O,  by  thefe  our  Let- 
ters Patents,  gracioufly  accept  of^  and  agree  to,  their  humble 
and  well  intended  Defires ; 

IV.  And  do  therefore,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffbrs, 
GRANT  and  agree,  that  the  faid  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George 
Somers,  Richard  Hackluit,  and  Edward-Maria  Wingjield,  Ad- 
venturers of  and  for  our  City  of  London,  and  all  fuch  others,  as 
are,  or  fhall  be,  joined  unto  them  of  that  Colony,  fhall  be  called 
the  Jirjl  Colony  ;  And  they  fhall  and  may  begin  their  faid  firft 
Plantation  and  Habitation,  at  any  Place  upon  the  faid  Coaft  of 
Virginia  or  America,  where  they  fhall  think  fit  and  convenient, 
between  the  faid  four  and  thirty  and  one  and  forty  Degrees  of  the 
faid  Latitude ;  And  that  they  fhall  have  all  the  Lands,  Woods, 
Soil,  Grounds,  Havens,  Ports,  Rivers,  Mines,  Minerals,  Mar- 
fhes.  Waters,  Fifhings,  Commodities,  and  Hereditaments,  what- 
foever,  from  the  faid  firft  Seat  of  their  Plantation  and  Habitation 
by  the  Space  of  fifty  Miles  of  Englifli  Statute  Meafure,  all  along 
the  faid  Coaft  of  Virginia  and  America,  towards  the  JVe/i  and 
Southzuejl,  as  the  Coaft  lyeth,  with  all  the  Iflands  within  one 
hundred  Miles  direflly  over  againft  the  fame  Sea  Coaft ;  And  al- 
fo  all  the  Lands,  Soil,  Grounds,  Havens,  Ports,  Rivers,  Mines, 
Minerals,  Woods,  Waters,  Marfhes,  Fifliings,  Commodities,  and 
Hereditaments,  whatfoever,  from  the  faid  Place  of  their  firft  Plan- 
tation and  Habitation  for  the  Space  of  fifty  like  Englifli  Miles,  all 
alongft  the  faid  Coaft  of  Virginia  and  America,  towards  the  Eafl 
and  Northeajl,  or  towards  the  North,  as  the  Coaft  lyeth,  toge- 
ther with  all  the  Iflands  within  one  hundred  Miles,  direftly  over 
againft  the  faid  Sea  Coaft  ;  And  alfo  all  the  Lands,  Woods,  Soil, 
Grounds,  Havens,  Ports,  Rivers,  Mines,  Minerals,  Marfhes,  Wa- 
ters, Fifhings,  Commodities,  and  Hereditaments,  whatfoever, 
from  the  fame  fifty  Miles  every  way  on  the  Sea  Coaft,  direftly 
into  the  main  Land  by  the  Space  of  one  hundred  like  Englijh 
Miles ;  And  fhall  and  may  inhabit  and  remain  there  ;  and  fhall 
and  may  alfo  build  and  fortify  within  any  the  fame,  for  their  bet- 
ter Safeguard  and  Defence,  according  to  their  beft  Difcretion,  and 
the  Difcretion  of  the  Council  of  that  Colony ;  And  that  no  other 
of  our  Subjefts  fhall  be  permitted,  or  fufFered,  to  plant  or  inhabit 
behind,  or  on  the  Backfide  of  them,  towards  the  main  Land, 
without  the  Exprefs  Licence  or  Confent  of  the  Council  of  that 
Colony,  thereunto  in  Writing  firft  had  and  obtained. 

V.  And  we  do  hkewife,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors, 
by  thefe  Prefents,  Grant  and  agree,  that  the  faid  Thomas  Han- 
ham,  and  Ralegh  Gilbert,  William  Parker,  and  George  Popharrif 
and  all  others  of  the  Town  of  Plimouth  in  the  County  of  Devon, 
or  elfewhere,  which  are,  or  fhall  be,  joined  unto  them  of  that 
Colony,  fhall  be  called  the  Jecond  Colony  ;  And  that  they  fhall  and 
may  begin  their  faid  Plantation  and  Seat  of  their  firft  Abode  and 
Habitation,  at  any  Place  upon  the  faid  Coaft  of  Virginia  and  A- 
merica,  where  they  fhall  think   fit  and  convenient,  between  eight 

and 


K.  James's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  Jp-/l  lo,  1606. 

and  thirty  Degrees  of  the  faid  Latitude,  and  five  and  forty  De- 
grees of  the  fame  Latitude ;  And  that  they  fhall  have  all  the 
Lands,  Soils,  Grounds,  Havens,  Ports,  Rivers,  Mines,  Minerals, 
Woods,  Marfhes,  Waters,  Fifhings,  Commodities,  and  Heredita- 
ments, whatfoever,  from  the  firft  Seat  of  their  Plantation  and  Ha- 
bitation by  the  Space  of  fifty  hke  Engli/Jt  Miles,  as  is  aforefaid, 
all  alongft  the  faid  Coafl  of  Virginia  and  America,  towards  the 
Weji  and  Southzcejl,  or  towards  the  South,  as  the  Coafl  lyeth, 
and  all  the  Iflands  within  one  hundred  Miles,  diredlly  over  againft 
the  faid  Sea  Coail:;  And  alfo  all  the  Lands,  Soils,  Grounds,  Ha- 
vens, Ports,  Rivers,  Mines,  Minerals,  Woods,  Marfhes,  Waters, 
Fifhings,  Commodities,  and  Hereditaments,  whatfoever,  from  the 
faid  Place  of  their  firft  Plantation  and  Habitation  for  the  Space  of 
fifty  like  Miles,  all  alongft  the  faid  Coaft  of  Virginia  and  Ame- 
rica, towards  the  Eaji  and  Northeaft,  or  towards  the  North,  as 
the  Coaft  lyeth,  and  all  the  Iflands  alio  within  one  hundred  Miles 
direftly  over  againft  the  fame  Sea  Coaft ;  And  alfo  all  the  Lands, 
Soils,  Grounds,  Havens,  Ports,  Rivers,  Woods,  Mines,  Minerals, 
Marfhes,  Waters,  Fifliings,  Commodities,  and  Hereditaments, 
whatfoever,  from  the  fame  fifty  Miles  every  way  on  the  Sea 
Coaft,  directly  into  the  main  Land,  by  the  Space  of  one  hundred 
like  Englijli  Miles ;  And  fliall  and  may  inhabit  and  remain  there ; 
and  fliall  and  may  alfo  build  and  fortify  within  any  the  fame  for 
their  better  Safeguard,  according  to  their  beft  Difcretion,  and  the 
Difcretion  of  the  Council  of  that  Colony;  And  that  none  of  our 
Subjeds  fhall  be  permitted,  or  fuffered,  to  plant  or  inhabit  be- 
hind, or  on  the  Back  of  them,  towards  the  main  Land,  without 
the  exprefs  Licence  of  the  Council  of  that  Colony,  in  Writing 
thereunto  firft  had  and  obtained. 

VL  Provided  always,  and  our  Will  and  Pleafure  herein 
is,  that  the  Plantation  and  Habitation  of  fuch  of  the  faid  Colo- 
nies, as  fl:iall  laft  plant  themfelves,  as  aforefaid,  fliall  not  be  made 
within  one  hundred  like  Englijh  Miles  of  the  other  of  them,  that 
firft:  began  to  make  their  Plantation,  as  aforefaid. 

Vn.  And  we  do  alfo  ordain,  eftablifti,  and  agree,  for  Us, 
our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  that  each  of  the  faid  Colonies  fhall 
have  a  Council,  which  fhall  govern  and  order  all  Matters  and 
Caufes,  which  fhall  arife,  grow,  or  happen,  to  or  within  the  fame 
feveral  Colonies,  according  to  fuch  Laws,  Ordinances,  and  In- 
ftruiftions,  as  fhall  be,  in  that  behalf,  given  and  figned  with  Our 
Hand  or  Sign  Manual,  and  pafs  under  the  Privy  Seal  of  our 
Realm  of  England;  Each  of  which  Councils  fliall  confift  of  thir-  , 
teen  Perfons,  to  be  ordained,  made,  and  removed,  from  time  ' 
to  time,  according  as  fhall  be  direfted  and  comprifed  in  the  fame 
Inftruftions;  And  fliall  have  a  feveral  Seal,  for  all  Matters  that 
fliall  pafs  or  concern  the  fame  feveral  Councils;  Each  of  which 
Seals  fliall  have  the  King's  Arms  engraven  on  the  one  Side  there- 
of, and  his  Portraiture  on  the  other ;  And  that  the  Seal  for  the 
Council  of  the  faid  firft  Colony  fliall  have  engraven  round  about, 
on  the  one  Side,  thefe  Words ;  SigiUum  Regis  Magna:  Britannia:, 
FrancKZ,  6?  Hibermoe ;  on  the  other  Side  this  Inicription,  round 
about;  Pro  Concilio  prima.  Colonice  Virgmi(E.     And  the  Seal  for 

the 


4      K.  James's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  April  lo,  1606. 

the  Council  of  the  faid  fecond  Colony  fhall  alfo  have  engraven, 
round  about  the  one  Side  thereof,  the  aforefaid  Words ;  Sigillum 
Regis  Magntz,  Britannia:,  Francice,  &  Hibernice;  and  on  the 
other  Side ;  Pro  Concilio  Jeciindcz  Colonicz  Virginicc  : 

VIII.  And  that  alfo  there  fhall  be  a  Council  eftablifhed  here 
in  England,  which  Ihall,  in  like  Manner,  confift  of  thirteen  Per- 
fons,  to  be,  for  that  Purpofe,  appointed  by  Us,  our  Heirs  and 
Succeflbrs,  vi^hich  fhall  be  called  our  Council  of  Virginia;  And 
fhall,  from  time  to  time,  have  the  fuperior  Managing  and  Direc- 
tion, only  of  and  for  all  Matters,  that  fhall  or  may  concern  the 
Government,  as  well  of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies,  as  of  and  for 
any  other  Part  or  Place,  within  the  aforefaid  Precinds  of  four 
and  thirty  and  five  and  forty  Degrees,  abovementioned ;  Which 
Council  fhall,  in  like  manner,  have  a  Seal,  for  Matters  concern- 
ing the  Council  or  Colonies,  with  the  like  Arms  and  Portraiture, 
as  aforefaid,  with  this  Infcription,  engraven  round  about  on  the 
one  Side  ;  Sigillimi  Regis  Magnce  Britannia:,  Franace,  &  Hiber- 
nice ;  and  round  about  the  other  Side,  Pro  Conalio  Juo  Virginice. 

IX.  And  moreover,  we  do  Grant  and  agree,  for  Us,  our 
Heirs  and  SuccefTors,  that  the  faid  feveral  Councils,  of  and  for 
the  faid  feveral  Colonies,  fhall  and  lawfully  may,  by  Virtue 
hereof^  from  time  to  time,  without  any  Interruption  of  Us,  our 
Heirs  or  SuccefTors,  give  and  take  Order,  to  dig,  mine,  and 
fearch  for  all  Manner  of  Mines  of  Gold,  Silver,  and  Copper,  as 
well  within  any  Part  of  their  laid  feveral  Colonies,  as  of  the  faid 
main  Lands  on  the  Backfide  of  the  fame  Colonies ;  And  to  Have 
and  enjoy  the  Gold,  Silver,  and  Copper,  to  be  gotten  thereof, 
to  the  Ufe  and  Behoof  of  the  fame  Colonies,  and  the  Plantations 
thereof;  Yielding  therefore,  to  Us,  our  Heirs  and  SuccefTors, 
the  fifth  Part  only  of  all  the  fame  Gold   and   Silver,  and  the  fif- 

,  teenth  Part  of  all  the  fame  Copper,  fo  to  be  gotten  or  had,  as  is 
aforefaid,  without  any  other  Manner  of  Profit  or  Account,  to  be 
given  or  yielded  to  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  SuccefTors,  for  or  in  Re- 
fpeft  of  the  fame  : 

X.  And  that  they  fhall,  or  lawfully  may,  eftablifh  and  caufe 
to  be  made  a  Coin,  to  pafs  current  there  between  the  People  of 
thofe  feveral  Colonies,  for  the  more  Eafe  of  Traffick  and  Bargain- 
ing between  and  amongft  them  and  the  Natives  there,  of  fuch  Me- 
tal, and  in  fuch  Manner  and  Form,  as  the  faid  feveral  Councils 
there  fhall  limit  and  appoint. 

XI.  And  we  do  likewife,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors, 
by  thefe  Prefents,  give  full  Power  and  Authority  to  the  faid  Sir 
Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George  Somers,  Richard  Hacklvit,  Edward-Ma- 
ria Wing  field,  Thomas  Hanham,  Ralegh  Gilbert,  William  Parker , 
and  George  Popliam,  and  to  every  of  them,  and  to  the  faid  feveral 
Companies,  Plantations,  and  Colonies,  that  they,  and  every  of 
them,  fhall  and  may,  at  all  and  every  time  and  times  hereafter, 
have,  take,  and  lead  in  the  faid  Voyage,  and  for  and  towards  the 
faid  feveral  Plantations  and  Colonies,  and  to  travel  thitherward, 
and  to  abide  and  inhabit  there,  in  every  the  faid  Colonies  and 
Plantations,  fuch  and  fo  many  of  our  Subjefts,  as  fhall  willingly 
accompany  them,  or  any  of  them,  in  the  faid  Voyages  and  Plan- 
tations, 


K.  James's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  Jpril  lo,  1606. 

tations ;  With  lufficient  Shipping,  and  Furniture  of  Armour, 
Weapons,  Ordinance,  Powder,  Vidual,  and  all  other  things,  ne- 
ceflary  for  the  faid  Plantations,  and  for  their  Ufe  and  Defence 
there  :  Provided  always,  that  none  of  the  faid  Perfons  be  fuch, 
as  fhall  hereafter  be  fpecially  reftrained  by  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  Suc- 
ceflbrs. 

XII.  Moreover,  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  for  Us,  our 
Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  Give  and  grant  Licence  unto  the  faid 
Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George  Somers,  Richard  Hacklmt,  Edzvard- 
Maria  Wingfield,  Thomas  Hanham,  Ralegh  Gilbert,  William 
Parker,  and  George  Popham,  and  to  every  of  the  faid  Colonies, 
that  they,  and  every  of  them,  fhall  and  may,  from  time  to  time, 
and  at  all  times  for  ever  hereafter,  for  their  feveral  Defences, 
encounter,  expulfe,  repel,  and  refift,  as  well  by  Sea  as  by 
Land,  by  all  Ways  and  Means  whatfoever,  all  and  every  fuch 
Perfon  and  Perfons,  as  without  the  efpecial  Licence  of  the  faid 
feveral  Colonies  and  Plantations,  fhall  attempt  to  inhabit  within 
the  faid  feveral  Precinds  and  Limits  of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies 
and  Plantations,  or  any  of  them,  or  that  fhall  enterprife  or  at- 
tempt, at  any  time  hereafter,  the  Hurt,  Detriment,  or  Annoy- 
ance, of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies  or  Plantations : 

XIII.  Giving  and  granting,  by  thefe  Prefents,  unto  the 
faid  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George  Somers,  Richard  Hackluit,  Ed- 
zvard-Maria  Wingfield,  and  their  Aflbciates  of  the  faid  firfl  Co- 
lony, and  unto  the  faid  Thomas  Hanham,  Ralegh  Gilbert,  Wil- 
liam Parker,  and  George  Popham,  and  their  Aflbciates  of  the 
faid  fecond  Colony,  and  to  every  of  them,  firom  time  to  time, 
and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter,  Power  and  Authority  to  take 
and  furprife,  by  all  Ways  and  Means  whatfoever,  all  and  every 
Perfon  and  Perfons,  with  their  Ships,  Vefiels,  Goods,  and  other 
Furniture,  which  fhall  be  found  trafficking,  into  any  Harbour  or 
Harbours,  Creek  or  Creeks,  or  Place,  within  the  Limits  or  Pre- 
cinfts  of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies  and  Plantations,  not  being  of 
the  fame  Colony,  until  fuch  time,  as  they,  being  of  any  Realms 
or  Dominions  under  our  Obedience,  fhall  pay,  or  agree  to  pay, 
to  the  Hands  of  the  Treafurer  of  that  Colony,  within  whofe 
Limits  and  Precinfts  they  fhall  fo  traffick,  two  and  a  half  upon 
every  Hundred,  of  any  thing,  fo  by  them  trafficked,  bought,  or 
fold ;  And  being  Strangers,  and  not  Subjedls  under  our  Obey- 
fance,  until  they  fhall  pay  five  upon  every  Hundred,  of  fuch 
Wares  and  Merchandifes,  as  they  fhall  traffick,  buy,  or  fell, 
within  the  Precinfts  of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies,  wherein  they 
fhall  fo  traffick,  buy,  or  fell,  as  aforefaid ;  Which  Sums  of 
Money,  or  Benefit,  as  aforefaid,  for  and  during  the  Space  of  one 
and  twenty  Years,  next  enfuing  the  Date  hereof,  fhall  be  wholly 
emploied  to  the  Ufe,  Benefit,  and  Behoof  of  the  faid  feveral 
Plantations,  where  fuch  Traffick  fhall  be  made ;  And  after  the 
faid  one  and  twenty  Years  ended,  the  fame  fhall  be  taken  to  the 
Ufe  of  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  by  fuch  Officers  and  Mi- 
niflers,  as  by  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  fhall  be  thereunto 
affigned  or  appointed. 

«  A  a  XIV. 


K.  yamcs's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  JprH  lo,  1606. 

XIV.  And  we  do  further,  by  thefe  Prefents,  for  Us,  our 
Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  Give  and  grant  unto  the  faid  Sir  Tho- 
v/as  Gates,  Sir  George  Soniers,  Richard  Hackluit,  and  Edward- 
Maria  Wing  field,  and  to  their  Affociates  of  the  faid  firft  Colony 
and  Plantation,  and  to  the  faid  Thomas  Hanham,  Ralegh  Gilbert, 
IVilliam  Parker,  and  George  Fopham,  and  their  Affociates  of  the 
faid  fecond  Colony  and  Plantation,  that  they,  and  every  of  them, 
by  their  Deputies,  Minifters,  and  Faftors,  may  tranfport  the 
Goods,  Chatties,  Armour,  Munition,  and  Furniture,  needful  to 
be  ufed  by  them,  for  their  faid  Apparel,  Food,  Defence,  or 
otherwife  in  Refpedl  of  the  faid  Plantations,  out  of  our  Realms 
of  England  and  Ireland,  and  all  other  our  Dominions,  from 
time  to  time,  for  and  during  the  Time  of  feven  Years,  next  en- 
fuing  the  Date  hereof,  for  the  better  Relief  of  the  faid  feveral 
Colonies  and  Plantations,  without  any  Cuftom,  Subfidy,  or  other 
Duty,  unto  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  Succeflbrs,  to  be  yielded  or  paid 
for  the  fame. 

XV.  Also  we  do,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  De- 
clare, by  thefe  Prefents,  that  all  and  every  the  Perfons,  being 
our  Subjeds,  which  ftiall  dwell  and  inhabit  within  every  or  any 
of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies  and  Plantations,  and  every  of  their 
Children,  which  fhall  happen  to  be  born  within  any  of  the  Li- 
mits and  Precinfts  of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies  and  Plantations, 
fliall  have  and  enjoy  all  Liberties,  Franchifes,  and  Immunities, 
within  any  of  our  other  Dominions,  to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes, 
as  if  they  had  been  abiding  and  born,  within  this  our  Realm 
of  Ejigland,  or  any  other  of  our  faid  Dominions. 

XVI.  Moreover,  our  gracious  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  and  we 
do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  declare 
and  fet  forth,  that  if  any  Perfon  or  Perfons,  which  fhall  be  of 
any  of  the  faid  Colonies  and  Plantations,  or  any  other,  which 
fliall  trafiick  to  the  faid  Colonies  and  Plantations,  or  any 
of  them,  fhall,  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  tranfport  any 
Wares,  Merchandifes,  or  Commodities,  out  of  any  our  Domini- 
ons, with  a  Pretence  to  land,  fell,  or  otherwife  difpofe  of  the 
fame,  within  any  the  Limits  and  Precinfls  of  any  the  faid  Colo- 
nies and  Plantations,  and  yet  neverthelefs,  being  at  Sea,  or  af- 
ter he  hath  landed  the  fame  within  any  of  the  faid  Colonies 
and  Plantations,  fhall  carry  the  fame  into  any  other  foreign 
Country,  with  a  Purpofe  there  to  fell  or  difpofe  of  the  fame, 
without  the  Licence  of  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  in  that 
Behalf  firft  had  and  obtained;  That  then,  all  the  Goods  and 
Chattels  of  fuch  Perfon  or  Perfons,  fo  offending  and  tianfporting, 
together  with  the  faid  Ship  or  Veffel,  wherein  fuch  Tranfporta- 
tion  was  made,  fhall  be  forfeited  to  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Suc- 
ceffors. 

XVII.  Provided  always,  and  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  and 
we  do  hereby  declare  to  all  Chri/lian  Kings,  Princes,  and  States, 
that  if  any  Perfon  or  Perfons,  which  fliall  hereafter  be  of  any 
of  the  faid  feveral  Colonies  and  Plantations,  or  any  other,  by  his, 
their  or  any  of  their  Licence  and  Appointment,  fhall,  at  any 
time   or    times   hereafter,  rob  or  fpoil,  by  Sea  or  by  Land,  or  do 

any 


K.  Jtrrmes's  firft  Charter  for  Virginia,  Jpr/l  lo,  1606. 

any  Aft  of  unjuft  and  unlawful  Hoftility,  to  any  the  Subjefts  of 
Us,  our  Heirs,  or  Succeflbrs,  or  any  the  Subjefts  of  any  King, 
Prince,  Ruler,  Governor,  or  State,  being  then  in  League  or 
Amity  with  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  Succeflbrs,  and  that  upon  fuch 
Injury,  or  upon  juft  Complaint  of  fuch  Prince,  Ruler,  Gover- 
nor, or  State,  or  their  Subjects,  We,  our  Heirs,  or  Succeflbrs, 
fhall  make  open  Proclamation,  within  any  of  the  Ports  of  our 
Realm  of  England,  commodious  for  that  Purpofe,  That  the  faid 
Perfon  or  Perfons,  having  committed  any  fuch  Robbery  or  Spoil, 
fhall,  within  the  Term  to  be  limited  by  fuch  Proclamations,  make 
full  Refliitution  or  Satisfadlion  of  all  fuch  Injuries  done,  fo  as 
the  faid  Princes,  or  others,  fo  complaining,  may  hold  themfelves 
fully  fatisfied  and  contented;  And  that,  if  the  faid  Perfon  or 
Perfons,  having  committed  fuch  Robbery  or  Spoil,  fhall  not 
make,  or  caufe  to  be  made,  Satisfadion  accordingly,  within 
fuch  Time  fo  to  be  hmited.  That  then  it  fhall  be  lawful  to  Us, 
our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  to  put  the  faid  Perfon  or  Perfons, 
having  committed  fuch  Robbery  or  Spoil,  and  their  Procurers, 
Abetters,  or  Comforters,  out  of  our  Allegiance  and  Protection ; 
And  that  it  fhall  be  lawful  and  free,  for  all  Princes  and  others, 
to  purfue  with  Hoftility  the  faid  Offenders,  and  every  of  them, 
and  their  and  every  of  their  Procurers,  Aiders,  Abetters,  and 
Comforters,  in  that  Behalf. 

XVIII.  And  finally,  we  do,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succef- 
fors.  Grant  and  agree,  to  and  with  the  faid  Sir  Thomas  Gates, 
Sir  George  Somers,  Richard  Hackluit,  and  Edzvard-Maria  Wing- 
jield,  and  all  others  of  the  faid  firft  Colony,  that  We,  our  Heirs, 
and  SuccefTors,  upon  Petition  in  that  Behalf  to  be  made,  fhall, 
by  Letters-patent  under  the  Great  Seal  of  England,  Give  and 
Grant  unto  fuch  Perfons,  their  Heirs,  and  Affigns,  as  the 
Council  of  that  Colony,  or  the  mofl  Part  of  them,  fhall,  for 
that  Purpofe  nominate  and  affign,  all  the  Lands,  Tenements,  and 
Hereditaments,  which  fhall  be  within  the  Precindls  limited  for 
that  Colony,  as  is  aforefaid.  To  be  holden  of  Us,  our  Heirs, 
and  SuccefTors,  as  of  our  Manor  of  Eajf-Greenzvich  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Kent,  in  free  and  common  Soccage  only,  and  not  in  Ca- 
pite: 

XIX.  And  do,  in  like  Manner,  Grant  and  agree,  for  Us, 
our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  to  and  with  the  faid  Thomas  Hanham, 
Ralegh  Gilbert,  William  Parker,  and  George  Popham,  and  all 
others  of  the  faid  fecond  Colony,  that  We,  our  Heirs,  and  Suc- 
cefTors, upon  Petition  in  that  Behalf  to  be  made,  fhall,  by  Let- 
ters-patent under  the  Great  Seal  of  England,  Give  and  Grant 
unto  fuch  Perfons,  their  Heirs,  and  Afligns,  as  the  Council  of 
that  Colony,  or  the  moft  Part  of  them,  fli'all,  for  that  Purpofe, 
nominate  and  affign,  all  the  Lands,  Tenements,  and  Heredita- 
ments, which  fhall  be  within  the  Precinds  limited  for  that  Colo- 
ny, as  is  aforefaid.  To  be  holden  of  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Suc- 
cefTors, as  of  our  Manour  of  Eajl-Cireenzcich  in  the  County  ot 
Kent,  in  free  and  common  Soccage  only,  and  not  in  Capite. 

XX.  All  which  Lands,  Tenements,  and  Hereditaments,  fo 
to  be  pafied   by  the  faid  feveral  Letters-patent,  fhall  be  fufficient 

A  a  2  AfTurance 


8'  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

Aflurance  from  the  faid  Patentees,  fo  diftributed  and  divided 
amongft  the  Undertakers  for  the  Plantation  of  the  faid  feveral 
Colonies,  and  fuch  as  fhall  make  their  Plantations  in  either  of 
the  faid  feveral  Colonies,  in  fuch  Manner  and  Form,  and  for 
fuch  Eftates,  as  fhall  be  ordered  and  fet  down  by  the  Council  of 
the  faid  Colony,  or  the  moft  Part  of  them,  refpedively,  vv'ithin 
which  the  fame  Lands, .  Tenements,  and  Hereditaments  fhall  lye 
or  be ;  Although  exprefs  Mention  of  the  true  yearly  Value  or 
Certainty  of  the  Premifes,  or  any  of  them,  or  of  any  other 
Gifts  or  Grants,  by  Us  or  any  of  our  Progenitors  or  Predecef- 
fors,  to  the  aforefaid  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Knt.  Sir  George  Somers, 
Knt.  Richard  Hackluit,  Edivard-Maria  Wingjield,  Thomas  Han- 
ham,  Raleigh  Gilbert,  William  Parker,  and  George  Popham,  or 
any  of  them,  heretofore  made,  in  thefe  Prefents,  is  not  made ; 
Or  any  Statute,  Aft,  Ordinance,  or  Provifion,  Proclamation,  or 
Reflraint,  to  the  contrary  hereof  had,  made,  ordained,  or  any 
other  Thing,  Caufe,  or  Matter  whatfoever,  in  any  wife  not- 
withflanding.  In  Witness  whereof,  we  have  caufed  thefe  our 
Letters  to  be  made  Patents;  Witnefs  Ourfelf  at  W ejlmuijler ,  the 
tenth  Day  of  April,  in  the  fourth  Year  of  our  Reign  of  England, 
France,  and  Ireland,  and  of  Scotland  the  nine  and  thirtieth. 

Lukin 
Per  breve  de  privato  Sigillo. 


N°.  II. 

King  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the  Treafurer  and 
Company  for  Virginia,  erecting  them  into  a  Corporation 
and  Body  Politick.,  and  for  the  further  Enlarge7nent  and 
Explanation  of  the  Privileges  of  the  faid  Coinpany  ana 
firji  Colony  of  Virginia.     Dated  May  23,  1609. 

L  '7AMES,hy  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Scotland, 
J  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith  ii?c.  To  all,  to 
whom  thefe  Prefents  fliall  come,  Greeting.  Whereas,  at  the 
humble  Suit  and  Requeft  of  fundry  our  loving  and  well  difpofed 
Subjefts,  intending  to  deduce  a  Colony,  and  to  make  Habitation 
and  Plantation  of  fundry  our  People,  in  that  Part  of  America,  com- 
monly called  Virginia,  and  other  Parts  and  Territories  in  Ame- 
rica, either  appertaining  unto  Us,  or  which  are  not  actually  pof- 
felTed  of  any  Ckrijhan  Prince  or  People,  within  certain  Bounds  and 
Regions,  We  have  formerly  by  our  Letters-patents,  bearing 
Date  the  tenth  Day  of  April,  in  the  fourth  Year  of  our  Reign 
of  England,  France,  and  Ireland,  and  of  Scotland  the  nine  and 
thirtieth.  Granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  George  Somers,  and 
others,  for  the  more  fpeedy  Accomplifhment  of  the  faid  Planta- 
tion and  Habitation,  that  they  fhould  divide  themfelves  into 
two  Colonies  (the  one  confifting  of  divers  Knights,  Gentlemen, 
Merchants,  and  others,  of  our  City  of  London,  called  the  first 

Co- 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  Mc7y  23,  1609. 

Colony;  And  the  other  confifting  of  divers  Knights,  Gen- 
tlemen, and  others,  of  our  Cities  of  Briflol,  Exeter,  and  Town 
of  Plimouth,  and  other  Places,  called  the  second  Colony) 
And  have  yielded  and  granted  many  and  fundry  Privileges  and 
Liberties  to  each  Colony,  for  their  quiet  Settling  and  good  Go- 
vernment therein,  as  by  the  faid  Letters-patents  more  at  large 
appeareth : 

n.  Now,  forafmuch  as  divers  and  fundry  of  our  loving  Sub- 
jeds,  as  well  Adventurers,  as  Planters,  of  the  faid  firft  Colony, 
which  have  already  engaged  themfelves  in  furthering  the  Buii- 
nefs  of  the  faid  Colony  and  Plantation,  and  do  further  intend, 
by  the  Affiftance  of  Almighty  God,  to  profecute  the  fame  to  a 
happy  End,  have  of  late  been  humble  Suitors  unto  us,  that  (in 
Refpe£l  of  their  great  Charges  and  the  Adventure  of  many  of 
their  Lives,  which  they  have  hazarded  in  the  faid  Difcovery  and 
Plantation  of  the  faid  Country)  We  would  be  pleafed  to  grant 
them  a  further  Enlargement  and  Explanation  of  the  faid  Grant, 
Privileges,  and  Liberties,  and  that  fuch  Counfellors,  and  other 
Officers,  may  be  appointed  amongft  them,  to  manage  and  diredl 
their  Affairs,  as  are  willing  and  ready  to  adventure  with  them, 
as  alfo  whofe  Dwellings  are  not  fo  far  remote  from  the  City  of 
London,  but  that  they  may,  at  convenient  Times,  be  ready  at 
hand,  to  give  their  Advice  and  Affiftance,  upon  all  Occafions 
requifite. 

in.  We,  greatly  affefting  the  effedlual  Profecution  and  happy 
Succefs  of  the  faid  Plantation,  and  commending  their  good  De- 
fires  therein,  for  their  further  Encouragement  in  accomplifhing  fo 
excellent  a  Work,  much  pleafing  to  God,  and  profitable  to  our 
Kingdom,  Do,  of  our  fpecial  Grace,  and  certain  Knowledge, 
and  mere  Motion,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  Give, 
Grant,  and  C  o  n  f  i  r  m,  to  our  trufty  and  well  beloved  Subjefts, 
Robert,  Earl  of  Salifbury,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Suffolk,  Henry,  Earl 
of  Soutkampton,  William,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  Henry,  Earl  of 
Lincoln,  Earl  of  Dorfet,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Exeter,  Philip,  Earl  of 
Montgomery,  Robert,  Lord  Vifcount  Li/le,  Theophilus,  Lord 
Hozvard  of  Walden,  James  Montague,  Lord  Bifhop  of  Bath  and 
Wells,  Edward,  Lord  Zouche,  Thomas,  Lord  Lazvarr,  William, 
Lord  Mounteagle,  Ralph,  Lord  Eture,  Edmond,  Lord  Sheffield, 
Grey,  Lord  Chandois,  Lord  Compton,  John,  Lord  Petre,  John, 
Lord  Stanhope,  George,  Lord  Carew,  Sir  Humphrey  Weld,  Lord 
Mayor  of  London,  George  Percie,  Efq;  Sir  Edward  Cecil,  Knt. 
.Sir  George  Wharton,  Knt.  Francis  Weji,  Efq;  Sir  William  Wade, 
Knt.  Sir  Henry  Nevil,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Smith,  Knt.  Sir  Oliver 
Cromwell,  Knt.  Sir  Peter  Manwood,  Knt.  Sir  Drue  Drury,  Knt. 
Sir  John  Scot,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Challoner,  Knt.  Sir  Robert  Drury, 
Knt.  Sir  Anthony  Cope,  Knt.  Sir  Horatio  Vere,  Knt.  Sir  Edward 
Conway,  Knt.  Sir  William  Brown,  Knt.  Sir  Maurice  Berkeley, 
Knt.  Sir  Robert  Manfel,  Knt.  Sir  Amias  Pre/ion,  Knt.  Sir  Tho' 
mas  Gates,  Knt.  Sir  Anthony  AJhly,  Knt.  Sir  Michael  Sandys, 
Knt.  Sir  Henry  Carey,  Knt.  Sir  Stephen  Soame,  Knt.  Sir  CaliJ- 
thenes  Brooke,  Knt.  Sir  Edward  Michelborn,  Knt.  Sir  John  Rat- 
cliffe,  Knt.  Sir  Charles  Wilmoi,  Knt.  Sir  George  Moor,  Knt. 
48  Sir 


lo  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

Sir  Hugh  W'irral,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Dennis,  Knt.  Sir  John  Holies^ 
Knt.  Sir  William  Godolphin,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Monfon,  Knt.  Sir 
Thomas  Ridgwine,  Knt.  Sir  John  Brooke,  Knt.  Sir  Robert  Killi- 
grezv,  Knt.  Sir  Henry  Peyton,  Knt.  Sir  Richard  Williamfon,  Knt. 
Sir  Ferdinando  Weynman,  Knt.  Sir  William  St.  John,  Knt.  Sir 
Thomas  Holcroft,  Knt.  Sir  ^c>A«  Mallory,  Knt.  Sir  Roger  Ajliton, 
Knt.  Sir  Walter  Cope,  Knt.  Sir  Richard  Wigmore,  Knight, 
Sir  William  Coke,  Knight,  Sir  Herbert  Crofte,  Knt.  Sir  Henry 
Fanjliaw,  Knt.  Sir  John  Smith,  Knt.  Sir  Francis  Wolley,  Knt.  Sir 
Edward  Water houfe,  Knt.  Sir  Henry  Seekford,  Knt.  *  Sir  Edwin 
Sandys,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Waynam,  Knt.  Sir  ^cAw  Trevor,  Knt. 
Sir  Warwick  Heele,  Knt.  Sir  Robert  Wroth,  Knt.  Sir  /oA;?  Town- 
fend,  Knt.  Sir  Chriftopeer  Perkins,  Knt.  Sir  Daniel  t)un,  Knt.  Sir 
Henry  Hobart,  Knt.  Sir  Francis  Bacon,  Knt.  Sir  Henry  Montague, 
Knt.  Sir  George  Coppin,  Knt.  Sir  Samuel  Sandys,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas 
Roe,  Knt.  Sir  George  Somers,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Freake,  Knt.  Sir 
Thomas  Harwell,  Knt.  Sir  Charles  Kelke,  Knt.  Sir  Baptijl  Hicks, 
Knt.  Sir  ^i^A;?  Watts,  Knt.  Sir  Robert  Carey,  Knt.  Sir  William 
Romney,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Middleton,  Knt.  Sir  Hatton  Cheeke,  Knt. 
Sir  Ti^A/z  6^^/^,  Knt.  Sir  Cavallero  Meycot,  Knt.  Sir  Stephen  Rid- 
dlejaon,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Bludder,  Knt.  Sir  Anthony  Aucher,  Knt. 
Sir  Robert  John/on,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Panton,  Knt.  Sir  Charles 
Morgan,  Knt.  Sir  Stephen  Pole,  Knt.  Sir  ^(^Ara  Burlacie,  Knt.  Sir 
Chrijiopher  Cleave,  Knt.  Sir  George  Hayward,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas 
Davis,  Knt.  Sir  Thomas  Sutton,  Knt.  Sir  Anthony  Forefl,  Knt.  Sir 
Robert  Payne,  Knt.  Sir  ^f /z?2  Digby,  Knt.  Sir  Dudley  Digges,  Knt. 
Sir  Rowland  Cotton,  Knt.  Dr.  Matthew  Sutcliffe,  Dr.  meadows. 
Dr.  Turner,  Dr.  Pee,  Capt.  Pagnam,  Capt.  Jeffrey  Holcrofte, 
Captain  Romney,  Captain  Henry  Spry,  Captain  Shelton,  Captain 
Sparks,  Captain  Thomas  Wyat,  Captain  Brinjly,  Captain  William 
Courtney,  Captain  Herbert,  Captain  Clarke,  Captain  Dewhurji, 
Captain  ^i^A/z  Blundell,  Captain  Fryer,  Captain  Lewis  Orwell, 
Captain  Edward  Loyd,  Captain  Slingefby,  Captain  Hawley,  Cap- 
tain Orme,  Captain  Woodhouje,  Captain  Mafon,  Captain  Thomas 
Holcroft,  Captain  John  Coke,  Captain  Holies,  Captain  William 
Prouae,  Captain  Henry  Woodhou/e,  Captain  Richard  Lindefey,  Cap- 
tain Dexter,  Captain  William  Winter,  Captain  Pearje,  Captain 
John  Bingham,  Captain  Burray,  Captain  Thomas  Conway,  Cap- 
tain Rookzvood,  Captain  William  Lovelace,  Captain  John  AJhley, 
Captain  Thomas  Wynne,  Captain  Thomas  Mewtis,  Captain  Edward 
Harwood,  Captain  Michael  Everard,  Captain  Comock,  Captain 
Mills,  Captain  Pigot,  Captain  Edward-Maria  Wingfield,  Captain 

*  The  Adventurers  Names  are  vaftly  confufed  and  different  in  the  different 
M.  S.  Copies  of  this  Charter.  I  chofe  the  two  faireft  and  mofl  correft  Copies, 
that  I  had  met  with,  to  tranfcribe  this  from  ;  and  altho'  they  both  agree  in 
writing  this  Name,  Sir  Edivard  Sands,  or  Sandis,  yet  they  are  both  certainly 
wrong,  as  might  be  eafily  proved,  were  it  worth  while,  and  would  not  be  too 
tedious.  I  was  alfo  much  puzzled  to  adjuft  and  fet  right  others  of  the  Names  { 
and  altho'  I  was  at  no  fmall  Pains  in  collating  the  Copies,  and  in  confulting 
and  referring  to  other  ancient  Letters  Patents  and  Papers,  yet  I  will  not  afHrm 
that  I  am  not  often  miftaken.  But  however  erroneous  and  perplexed  the  Names 
of  the  Adventurers  may  be,  yet  I  found  the  main  Body,  and  material  Parts,  of 
the  Charter,  very  clear,  full,  and  corredt. 

Chri/lopher 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23,  1609.     11 

Chrijlopher  Nezvport,  Captain  John  Sicklemore,  alias  Ratcliffe, 
Captain  Jokn  Smith,  Captain  John  Martin,  Captain  Peter  Wynne, 
Captain  IValdoe,  Captain  Thomas  Wood,  Captain  Thomas  Button, 
George  Bolls,  Efq;  Sheriff  of  London,  William  CrafJiazv,  Clerk, 
Batchelor  of  Divinity,  William  Seabright,'E(Q^,  Chrijlopher  Brooke, 
Efq;  John  Bingley,  Efq;  Thomas  Watfon,  Efq;  Richard  Percival, 
Efq;  John  Moore,  Efq;  Hugh  Brooker,  Efq;  David  Woodhoiife, 
Efq;  Anthony  Aucher,  Efq;  Robert  Bozoyer,  Efq;  Ralph  Ezvens, 
Efq;  Zachary  Jones,  Efq;  George  Calvert,  Efq;  tVilliam  Dobfon, 
Efq;  Henry  Reynolds,  E{q;  Thomas  Walker,  Eiq;  Anthony  Bar nars, 
Efq;  Thomas  Sandys,  Efq;  Henry  Sandys,  Efq;  Richard  Sandys, 
Efq;  Son  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  William  Oxenbridge,  Efq;  John 
Moore,  Efq;  Thomas  Wilfon,  Efq;  John  Bullock,  Efq;  John  Waller, 
Efq;  Thomas  Webb,  Jehu  Robinjon,  William  Brewjler,  Robert  E- 
velyn,  Henry  Danby,  Richard  Hackluit,  Minifter,  John  Eldred, 
Merchant,  William  RuJJel,  Merchant,  John  Merrick,  Merchant, 
Richard  Banijler,  Merchant,  Charles  Anthony,  Goldfmith,  John 
Banks,  William  Evans,  Richard  Humble,  Richard  Chamberlayne, 
Merchant,  Thomas  Barber,  Merchant,  Richard  Pomet,  Merchant, 
John  Fletcher,  Merchant,  Thomas  Nicholls,  Merchant,  John  Stoke, 
Merchant,  Gabriel  Archer,  Francis  Covel,  William  Bonham,  Ed- 
ward HarriJon,John  Woljlenholme,  Nicholas  Salter,  Hugh  Evans, 
William  Barnes,  Otho  Mawdet,  Richard  Staper,  Merchant,  John 
Elkin,  Merchant,  William  Coyfe,  Thomas  Perkin,  Cooper,  Hum- 
phry James,  Cooper,  Henry  Jack/on,  Robert  Singleton,  Chrijlopher 
Nicholls,  John  Harper,  Abraham  Chamberlayne,  Thomas  Shipton, 
Thomas  Carpenter,  Anthony  Crew,  George  Holman,  Robert  Hill, 
Cleophas  Smith,  Ralph  Harrijon,  John  Farmer,  James  Brearley, 
'William  Crofhy,  Richard  Cox,  John  Gearing,  Richard  Strongarm, 
Ironmongers,  Thomas  Langton,  Griffith  Hinton,  Richard  Ironfide, 
Richard  Dean,  Richard  Turner,  William  Lawjon,  Mercer,  fames 
Chatfield,  Edward  Allen  Tedder,  Robert  Hildebrand  Spnnfon,  Ar- 
ihur  Mouje,  John  Gardiner,  James  Ruff  el,  Richard  Cajwell,  Rich- 
ard Evans,  John  Hawkins,  Richard  Kernl,  Richard  Brooke,  Mat- 
thew Scrivener,  Gentleman,  William  Stallenge,  Gentleman,  Ar- 
thur Venn,  Gentleman,  Sandys  Webbe,  Gentleman,  Michael  Phet- 
tiplace.  Gentleman,  William  Phettiplace,  Gentleman,  Ambroje 
Prujey,  Gentleman,  John  Taverner,  Gentleman,  George  Pretty, 
Gentleman,  Peter  Latham,  Gentleman,  Thomas  Montjord,  Gen- 
tleman, William  Cantrel,  Gentleman,  Richard  Wiffin,  Gentleman, 
Ralph  Moreton,  Gentleman,  John  Cornelius,  martin  Freeman, 
Ralph  Freeman,  Andrew  Moore,  Thomas  White,  Edward  Perkin, 
Robert  Offley,  Thomas  Whitley,  George  Pit,  Robert  Parkhurjl,  Tho- 
mas Morris,  Peter  Harloe,  Jeffry  Duppa,  John  Gilbert,  William 
Hancock,  Matthew  Brown,  Francis  Tyr ret,  Randal  Carter,  Otho- 
well  Smith,  Thomas  Hamond,  Martin  Bond,  Haberdafher,  John 
Moulfoe,  Robert  John/on,  William  Young,  John  Woodal,  William 
Felgate,  Humfrey  Weffwood,  Rcihard  Champion,  Henry  RobinJ'on, 
Francis  Mapes,  William  Sambach,Ralegh  Craffiaw,  Daniel  Tucker, 
Thomas  Grave,  Hugh  Wille/ion,  Thomas  Culpepper,  of  Wig/el,  Efq; 
John  Culpepper,  Gentleman,  Henry  Lee,  Jofias  Kirton,  Gentleman, 
John  Pory,  Gentleman,  Henry  Collins,  George  Burton,  William 

Atkinjon, 


12  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

Atkinfon,  Thomas  Forejl,  John  Riiffel,  John  Holt,  Harman  Har- 
rifon,  Gabriel  Beedel,  John  Beedel,  Henry  Dazvkes,  George  Scot, 
Edward  Fleetwood,  Gentleman,  Richard  Rogers,  Gentleman,  Ar- 
thur Robinjon,  Robert  Rohnif on,  John  Huntley,  John  Gray,  Wil- 
liam Payne,  William  Field,  William  Wattey,  William  Webjler, 
John  Dingley,  Thomas  Draper,  Richard  Gianvil,  Arnold  Hulls, 
Henry  Roe,  William  More,  Nicholas  Gryce,  James  Monger,  Ni- 
cholas Andrews,  Jeremy  Haydon,  Ironmonger,  Philip  Vurette, 
John  Ouarles,  John  W^/?,  Matthew  Springham,  John  Johnfon, 
Chrijlopher  Hore,  Thomas  Snead,  George  Berkeley,  Arthur  Pet, 
Thomas  Careles,  William  Berkeley,  Thomas  Johnfon,  Alexander 
Bents,  Captain  William  King,  George  Sandys,  Gentleman,  James 
"White,  Gentleman,  Ediyiond  Wynne,  Charles  Towler,  Richard  Rey- 
nold, Edward  ^ebb,  Richard  Maplefden,  Thomas  Lever,  David 
Bourne,  Thomas  Wood,  Ralph  Hamer,  Edward  Barnes,  Mercer, 
John  "Wright,  Mercer,  Robert  Middleton,  Edward  Littlejield,  Ka- 
tharine Weji,  Thomas  Web,  Ralph  King,  Robert  Coppin,  James  Af- 
kew,  Chrijlopher  Holt,  William  Bar  dwell,  Alexander  Chiles,  Lewis 
Tate,  Edward  Ditchjield,  James  Swifte,  Richard  Widdowes,  Gold- 
{mith.,Edmond  Brudenell, Edward  Burwell,Joh  nHansJord, Edward 
Wooller,  William  Palmer,  Haberdafher,  Jolin  Badger,  John  Hodg- 
fon, Peter  Mounfel,  John  Car ril,  John  BufJindge,  Wm.  Dun,  Tho- 
mas Johnjon,  ]\icholas  Benfon,  ihomas  Slupton,  Nathaniel  W ade, 
Randal  Wetwood,  Matthew  Dequejhr,  Charles  Hawkins,  Hugh 
Hamerjley,  Abraham  Cartwright,  George  Bennet,  William  Cater, 
Richard  Goddart,  Henry  Cromwell,  Phineas  Pet,  Robert  Cooper, 
John  Cooper,  Henry  Newce,  Edward  Wilkes,  Robert  Bateman,  Ni- 
cholas Farrar,  John  Newhoufe,  John  Cafon,  Thomas  Harris,  Gen- 
tleman, George  Etheridge,  Gentleman,  Thomas  Mayle,  Gentleman, 
Richard  Stcifford,  Thomas  ,  Richard  Cooper,  John  Wef- 

trow,  Edward  Welch,  Thomas  Britain,  Thomas  Knowles,  Oaa- 
vian  Thome,  Edmond  Smith,  John  March,  Edward  Carew,  Tho- 
mas Pleydall,  Richard  Let,  Miles  Palmer,  Henry  Price,  John  Jo- 
Jkua,  Gentleman,  William  Clauday,  Jeremy  earfye,  John  Bree, 
Gentleman,  William  Hampfon,  Chrijlopher  Pickford,  Thomas  Hunt, 
Thomas  Trujlon,  Chrijlopher  Salmon,  John  Howard,  Clerk,  Rich- 
ard Partridge,  Allen  Cajjen,  Felix  Wilfon,  Thomas  Bathurjl,  George 
Wilmer,  Andrew  Wilmer,  Maurice  Lewellin,  Thomas  Godwin, 
Peter  Burgoyne,  Thomas  Burgoyne,  Robert  Burgoyne, Robert  Smith, 
Merchant-taylor,  Edward  Cage,  Grocer,  Thomas  Cannon,  Gen- 
tleman, William  Welby,  Stationer,  Clement  Wilmer,  Gentleman, 
John  Clapham,  Gentleman,  Giles  Francis,  Gentleman,  George 
Walker,  Sadler,  John  Swinhow,  Stationer,  Edward  Bifhop,  Sta- 
tioner, Leonard  White,  Gentleman,  Chrijlopher  Baron,  Peter  Ben- 
Jon,  Richard  Smith,  George  Proctor,  Minifter,  Millicent  Ramjden, 
Widow,  Jofeph  Soane,  Thomas  Hinjhaw,  John  Baker,  Robert 
Thornton,  John  Davis,  Edward  Facet,  George  Newce,  Gentleman, 
John  Robin fon.  Captain  Thomas  Wood,  William  Brown,  Shoema- 
ker, Robert  Barker,  Shoemaker,  Robert  Pennington,  Francis  Bur- 
ley,  Minifter,  William  Quick,  Grocer,  Edward  Lewis,  Grocer, 
Laurence  Campe,  Draper,  Aden  Yerkins,  Grocer,  Richard  Shepherd, 
Preacher,  William  Sherley,  Haberdaflier,  William  Taylor,  Haber- 
dafher, 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23,  1609.       13 

dafher,  Edwin  Lukin,  Gentleman,  John  Franklyn,  Haberdafher, 
John  Southwick,  Peter  Peate,  George  Jokan,  Ironmonger,  George 
Yeardley,  Gentleman,  Henry  Shelley,  John  Prat,  Thomas  Church, 
Draper,  William  Powel,  Gentleman,  Richard  Frith,  Gentleman, 
Thomas  Wheeler,  Draper,  Francis  Hajelrig,  Gentleman,  Hugh 
Shipley,  Gentleman,  John  Andrews  the  Elder,  Doftor  of  Cam- 
bridge, Francis  Whi/iler,  Gentleman,  J^ohn  Vajfal,  Gentleman, 
Richard  Howie,  Edward  Berkeley,  Gentleman,  Richard  Keneridg- 
burg.  Gentleman,  Nicholas  Exton,  Draper,  William  Bennet,  Filh- 
monger,  James  Haywood,  Merchant,  Nicholas  Ifaac,  Merchant, 
William  Gibbs,  Merchant,  Bijliop,  Bernard  Mitchel,  Ifaac 

Mitchel,  John  Streate,  Edward  Gall,  John  Martin,  Gentleman, 
Thomas  Fox,  Luke  Lodge,  John  Woodliffe,  Gentleman,  Richard 
Webb,  Fincent  Low,  Samuel  Burnham,  Edmund  Pears,  Haber- 
dafher, John  Googe,  John  St.  John,  Edward  Vaughan,  William 
Dunn,  Thomas  Alcocke,  John  Andrews  the  Younger,  of  Cam- 
bridge, Samuel  Smith,  Thomas  Gerrard,  Thomas  Whittingham, 
William  Canning,  Paul  Canning,  George  Chandler,  Henry  Vincent, 
Thomas  Ketley ,  James  Skelton,  James  Mountaine,  George  Webb, 
Gentleman,  Jojeph  Newbridge,  Smith,  Jofiah  Mand,  Cap- 
tain Ralph  Hamer,  the  Younger,  Edward  Brewjler,  the  Son  of 
William  Brewjler,  Leonard  Harwood,  Mercer,  Philip  Druerdent, 
William  Carpenter,  Trijiian  Hill,  Robert  Cock,  Grocer,  Laurence 
Green,  Grocer,  Samuel  Winch,  Grocer,  Humphrey  Stile,  Grocer, 
Averie  Dransfield,  Grocer,  Edward  Hodges,  Grocer,  Edward 
Beale,  Grocer,  Thomas  Culler,  Grocer,  Ralph  Bufby,  Grocer, 
John  Whittingham,  Grocer,  John  Hide,  Grocer,  Matthew 
Shepherd,  Grocer,  Thomas  Allen,  Grocer,  Richard  Hooker,  Gro- 
cer, Lawrence  Munks,  Grocer,  John  Tanner,  Grocer,  Peter 
Gate,  Grocer,  John  Blunt,  Grocer,  Robert  Phips,  Grocer,  Ro- 
bert Berrisford,  Grocer,  Thomas  Wells,  Grocer,  John  Ellis, 
Grocer,  Henry  Colthurjl,  Grocer,  John  Cavady,  Grocer,  Thomas 
Jennings,  Grocer,  Edmond  Pa/hall,  Grocer,  Timothy  Bathurfl, 
Grocer,  Giles  Par/low,  Grocer,  Robert  Milmay,  Grocer,  Richard 
Johnfon,  Grocer,  William  Johnjon,  Vintner,  Ezekiel  Smith, 
Richard  Martin,  William  Sharpe,  Robert  Rich,  William  Stan- 
nard,  Innholder,  John  Stocken,  William  Strachey,  Gentleman, 
George  Farmer,  Gentleman,  Thomas  Gypes,  Clothworker,  Abra- 
ham Davies,  Gentleman,  Thomas  Brocket,  Gentleman,  George 
Bache,  Fifhmonger,  John  Dike,  Fifhmonger,  Henry  Spranger, 
Richard  Farrington,  Chriflopher  Vertue,  Vintner,  Thomas  Bay  ley. 
Vintner,  George  Robins,  Vintner,  Tobias  Hinfon,  Grocer,  Vrian 
Spencer,  Clement  Chicheley,  John  Scarpe,  Gentleman,  James 
Lampbell,  Ironmonger,  Chriflopher  Clitheroe,  Ironmonger,  Philip 
Jacobfon,  Peter  Jacobfon,  of  Antwerp,  William  Berkeley,  Miles 
Banks,  Cutler,  Peter  Higgons,  Grocer,  Henry  John,  Gentleman, 
John  Stokeley,  Merchant-taylor,  The  Company  of  Mercers,  the 
Company  of  Grocers,  the  Company  of  Drapers,  the  Company 
Fifhmongcrs,  the  Company  of  Goldfmiths,  the  Company  of 
Skinners,  the  Company  of  Mcrchant-taylers,  the  Company  of 
Haberdafhers,  the  Company  of  Salters,  the  Company  of  Iron- 
mongers, the  Company  of  Vintners,  the  Company  Clothworkers, 
«  B  b  the 


14  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

the  Company  of  Dyers,  the  Company  of  Brewers,  the  Company 
of  Leatherfellers,  the  Company  of  Pewterers,  the  Company  of 
Cutlers,  the  Company  of  Whitebakers,  the  Company  of  Wax- 
Chandlers,  the  Company  of  Tallow-Chandlers,  the  Company  of 
Armorers,  the  Company  of  Girdlers,  the  Company  of  Butchers, 
the  Company  of  Sadlers,  the  Company  of  Carpenters,  the  Com- 
pany of  Cordwayners,  the  Company  of  Barber-Chirurgeons,  the 
Company  of  Paintftainers,  the  Company  of  Curriers,  the  Com- 
pany of  Mafons,  the  Company  of  Plumbers,  the  Company  In- 
holders,  the  Company  of  Founders,  the  Company  of  Poulterers, 
the  Company  of  Cooks,  the  Company  of  Coopers,  the  Company 
of  Tylers  and  Bricklayers,  the  Company  of  Bovvyers,  the  Com- 
pany of  Fletchers,  the  Company  of  Blackfmiths,  the  Company 
of  Joiners,  the  Company  of  Weavers,  the  Company  of  Wool- 
men,  the  Company  of  Woodmongers,  the  Company  of  Scrive- 
ners, the  Company  of  Fruiterers,  the  Company  of  Plaifters,  the 
Company  of  Brownbakers,  the  Company  of  Stationers,  the 
Company  of  Imbroiderers,  the  Company  of  Upholfters,  the 
Company  of  Muficians,  the  Company  of  Turners,  the  Com- 
pany of  Gardiners,  the  Company  of  Bafketmakers,  the  Com- 
pany of  Glaziers,  John  Level,  Merchant,  Thomas  Nornicot,  Cloth- 
worker,  Richard  Venn,  Haberdafher,  Thomas  Scot,  Gentleman, 
Thomas  ^WAo;z,Merchant-taylor, George  Hankinjon,  Thomas  Seyer, 
Gentleman,  Matthew  Cooper,  George  Butler,  Gentleman,  Thomas 
Lazvfon,  Gentleman,  Edward  Smith,  Haberdafher,  Stephen  Spar- 
row,  John  Jones,  Merchant,  Reynolds,  Brewer,  Thomas 

Plummer,  Merchant,  James  Diippa,  Brewer,  Rowland  Coitmore, 
William  Southerne,  George  Whitniore,  Haberdafher,  Anthony  Gof- 
nold,  the  Younger,  John  Allen,  Fifhmonger,  Simon  Yeomans, 
Fifhmonger,  Lancelot  Davis,  Gentlemen,  John  Hopkins,  Alder- 
man of  Brijlol,  John  Kettleby,  Gentleman,  Richard  Clene,  Gold- 
fmith,  George  Hooker,  Gentleman,  Robert  Chening,  Yeoman ; 
A  N  D  to  fuch,  and  fo  many,  as  they  do,  or  fhall  hereafter,  ad- 
mit to  be  joined  with  them,  in  Form  hereafter  in  thefe  Prefents 
exprefled,  whether  they  go  in  their  Perfons,  to  be  Planters  there 
in  the  faid  Plantation,  or  whether  they  go  not,  but  adventure 
their  Monies,  Goods,  or  Chattels ;  that  they  fhall  be  one 
Body  or  Commonalty  perpetual,  and  fhall  have  perpetual  Suc- 
ceflion,  and  one  Common  Seal,  to  ferve  for  the  faid  Body  or 
Commonalty ;  And  that  they,  and  their  SuccefTors,  fhall  be 
Known,  called,  and  incorporated  by  the  Name  of.  The 
Treafurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Planters  of  the  City  of 
London  for  the  fir ji  Colony  in  Virginia: 

IV.  And  that  they,  and  their  SuccefTors,  fhall  be,  from  hence- 
forth, for  ever  enabled  to  take,  acqjjire,  and  purchase, 
by  the  Name  aforefaid  (Licence  for  the  fame,  from  Us,  our 
Heirs  or  SuccefTors,  firft  had  and  obtained)  any  Manner  of  Lands, 
Tenements,  and  Hereditaments,  Goods,  and  Chattels,  within 
our  Realm  of  England,  and  Dominion  of  Wales : 

V.  And  that  they,  and  their  SuccefTors,  fhall  likewife  be  ena- 
bled, by  the  Name  aforefaid,  to  plead,  and  be  impleaded, 
before  any  of  our  Judges  or  Juflices,  in  any  of  our  Courts,  and 
in  any  Adions  or  Suits  whatfoever.  VL 


Treafurerand  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23,  1609 

VI.  And  we  do  alfo,  of  our  fpecial  Grace,  certain  Knowledge, 
and  mere  Motion,  give,  grant,  and  confirm,  unto  the  faid 
Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Succeflbrs,  under  the  Refer- 
vations.  Limitations,  and  Declarations,  hereafter  exprefled,  all 
thofe  Lands,  Countries,  and  Territories,  fituate,  lying,  and  be-  .- 
ing,  in  that  Part  o^  America  c^zW^d  V  i  rgi  n  i  a,  from  the  Point 
of  Land,  called  Cape  or  Point  Comfort,  all  along  the  Sea  Coaft, 
to  the  Northzcard  two  hundred  Miles,  and  from  the  faid  Point  of 
Cape  Comfort,  all  along  the  Sea  Coaft,  to  the  Southward  two  hun- 
dred Miles,  and  all  that  Space  and  Circuit  of  Land,  lying  from 
the  Sea  Coaft  of  the  Precincl  aforefaid,  up  into  the  Land,  through- 
out from  Sea  to  Sea,  Wej},  and  Xortlizveji ;  And  alfo  all  the  If- 
lands,  lying  within  one  hundred  Miles,  along  the  Coaft  of  both 
Seas  of  the  Preciiift  aforefaid ;  Together  with  all  the  Soils, 
Grounds,  Havens,  and  Ports,  Mines,  as  well  Royal  Mines  of  Gold 
and  Silver,  as  other  Minerals,  Pearls,  and  precious  Stones,  Quar- 
ries, Woods,  Rivers,  Waters,  Fifhings,  Commodities,  Jurifdifti- 
ons.  Royalties,  Privileges,  Franchifes,  and  Preheminences,  within 
the  faid  Territories,  and  the  Precindls  thereof,  whatfoever,  and 
thereto  and  thereabouts,  both  by  Sea  and  Land,  being,  or  in  any 
fort  belonging  or  appertaining,  and  which  We,  bv  our  Letters 
Patents,  may  or  can  grant,  in  as  ample  Manner  and  Sort,  as  We, 
or  any  our  noble  Progenitors,  have  heretofore  granted  to  any 
Company,  Body  politick  or  corporate,  or  to  any  Adventurer,  or 
Adventurers,  Undertaker  or  Undertakers,  of  any  Difcoveries, 
Plantations,  or  Traffick,  of  in  or  into  any  foreign  Parts  whatfo- 
ever, and  in  as  large  and  ample  Manner,  as  if  the  fame  were 
herein  particularly  mentioned  and  exprefled;  To  have  and  to 
HOLD,  poflefs  and  enjoy,  all  and  fmgular  the  faid  Lands,  Coun- 
tries, and  Territories,  v/ith  all  and  fingular  other  the  Premifes, 
heretofore  by  thefe  Prefents  granted,  or  mentioned  to  be  granted, 
to  them,  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  their  Succeflbrs  and 
Afligns  for  ever;  To  the  fole  and  proper  Ufe  of  them,  the  faid 
Treafurer  and  Company,  their  Succeflbrs  and  Afligns  for  ever ; 
To  BE  HOLDENof  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  as  of  our  Ma- 
nour  of  Ea/i-GreenzL'ich,  in  free  and  common  Soccage,  and  not 
in  Capite ;  Yielding  and  paying,  therefore,  to  Us,  our  Heirs, 
and  Succeflbrs,  the  fifth  Part  only  of  all  Ore  of  Gold  and  Silver, 
that,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  fhall  be  there 
gotten,  had,  or  obtained,  for  all  Manner  of  Services. 

Vn.  And  neverthelefs,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  and  we  do, 
by  thefe  Prefents,  charge,  command,  warrant,  and  authorife, 
that  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  or  their  Succeflbrs,  or  the 
major  Part  of  them,  which  fhall  be  prefent  and  aflembled  for  that 
Purpofe,  fhall,  from  time  to  time,  under  their  Common  Seal, 
Distribute,  convey,  affign,  and  fet  over,  fuch  particular  Por- 
tions of  Lands,  Tenements,  and  Hereditaments,  by  thefe  Prefents, 
formerly  granted,  unto  fuch  our  loving  Subjefts,  naturally  born, 
or  Denizens,  or  others,  as  well  Adventurers  as  Planters,  as  by  the 
faid  Company  (upon  a  Commillion  of  Survey  and  Diftribution, 
executed  and  returned  for  that  Purpofe)  fhall  be  nominated,  ap- 
pointed, and  allowed ;  Wherein  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  that 
B  b  2  Refped 


l6  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

Refpeft  be  had,  as  well  of  the  Proportion  of  the  Adventurer,  as 
to  the  fpecial  Service,  Hazard,  Exploit,  or  Merit  of  any  Perfon, 
fo  to  be  recompenced,  advanced,  or  rewarded. 

VIII.  And  forafmuch,  as  the  good  and  profperous  Succefs  of 
the  faid  Plantation  cannot  but  chiefly  depend,  next  under  the 
Bleffing  of  God,  and  the  Support  of  our  Royal  Authority,  upon 
the  provident  and  good  Diredion  of  the  whole  Enterprize,  by 
a  careful  and  underftanding  Council,  and  that  it  is  not  conve- 
nient, that  all  the  Adventurers  fhall  be  fo  often  drawn  to  meet 
and  aflemble,  as  fhall  be  requifite  for  them  to  have  Meetings  and 
Conference  about  the  Affairs  thereof;  Therefore  we  do  ordain, 
eftablifh,  and  confirm,  that  there  fhall  be  perpetually  one  Coun- 
cil here  refident,  according  to  the  Tenour  of  our  former  Let- 
ters-patents ;  Which  Council  fhall  have  a  Seal,  for  the  better 
Government  and  Adminiflration  of  the  faid  Plantation,  befides 
the  legal  Seal  of  the  Company  or  Corporation,  as  in  our  former 
Letters-patents  is  alfo  exprefled, 

IX.  And  further,  we  establish  and  ordain,  that  Henry, 
Earl  of  Southampton,  William,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  Henry,  Earl  of 
Lincoln,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Exeter,  Robert,  Lord  Vifcount  Lifle, 
Lord  Theophilus  Howard,  James,  Lord  Bifhop  of  Bath  and  Wells, 
Edward,  Lord  Zouche,  Thomas,  Lord  Lawarr,  William,  Lord 
Monteagle,  Edmond,  Lord  Sheffield,  Grey,  Lord  Chandois,  John, 
Lord  Stanhope,  George,  Lord  Carew,  Sir  Humfrey,  Weld,  Lord 
Mayor  of  London,  Sir  Edward  Cecil,  Sir  William  Wade,  Sir 
Henry  Nevil,  Sir  Thomas  Smith,  Sir  Oliver  Cromwell,  Sir  Peter 
Manwood,  Sir  Thomas  Challoner,  Sir  Henry  Hobart,  Sir  Francis 
Bacon,  Sir  George  Coppin,  Sir  John  Scot,  Sir  Henry  Carey,  Sir 
Robert  Drury,  Sir  Horatio  Vere,  Sir  Edward  Conway,  Sir  Mau- 
rice Berkeley,  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  Sir  Michael  Sandys  Sir  Robert 
Manfel,  Sir  John  Trevor,  Sir  Amias  Prejlon,  Sir  William  Godol- 
phin.  Sir  Walter  Cope,  Sir  Robert  Killigrew,  Sir  Henry  Fanjhaw, 
Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  Sir  John  Watts,  Sir  Henry  Montague,  Sir 
William  Romney,  Sir  Thomas  Roe,  Sir  Baptijl  Hicks,  Sir  Richard 
William/on,  Sir  Stephen  Poole,  Sir  Dudley  Digges,  Chrijlopher 
Brooke,  Efq;  John  Eldred,  and  John  W oljlenholme,  fhall  be  our 
Council  for  the  faid  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Planters  in 
Virginia. 

X.  A  N  D  the  faid  Sir  Thomas  Smith  we  do  ordain  to  be  Trea- 
furer  of  the  faid  Company ;  which  Treafurer  fhall  have  Authority 
to  give  Order,  for  the  Warning  of  the  Council,  and  fummoning 
the  Company,  to  their  Courts  and  Meetings. 

XI.  And  the  faid  Council  and  Treafurer,  or  any  of 
them,  fhall  be  from  henceforth,  nominated,  chofen,  continued, 
difplaced,  changed,  altered,  and  fupplied,  as  Death,  or  other 
feveral  Occafions,  fhall  require,  out  of  the  Company  of  the  faid 
Adventurers,  by  the  Voice  of  the  greater  Part  of  the  faid  Com- 
pany and  Adventurers,  in  their  AfTembly  for  that  Purpofe  : 
Provided  always,  that  every  Counfellor,  fo  newly  clefted,  fhall 
be  prefented  to  the  Lord  Chancellor  of  England,  or  to  the  Lord 
High  Treafurer  of  England,  or  to  the  Lord  Chamberlain  of  the 
Houfehold  of  Us,  our  HeirSj  and  SuccefTors,  for  the  time  being, 

to 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23,  1609.     17 

to  take  his  Oath  of  a  Counfellor  to  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succef- 
fors,  for  the  faid  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Colony  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

XII.  And  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  of  our  fpecial  Grace, 
certain  Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion,  for  Us,  our  Heirs  and 
Succeflbrs,  Grant  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and 
their  Succeflbrs,  that  if  it  happen,  at  any  time  or  times,  the 
Treafurer  for  the  time  being  to  be  lick,  or  to  have  any  fuch 
Caufe  of  Abfence  from  the  City  of  London,  as  fhall  be  allowed  by 
the  faid  Council,  or  the  greater  Part  of  them,  aflembled,  fo  as 
he  cannot  attend  the  Affairs  of  that  Company,  in  every  fuch  Cafe, 
it  fhall  and  may  be  lawful  for  fuch  Treafurer  for  the  time  being, 
to  aflign,  conflitute  and  appoint,  one  of  the  Council  or  Company, 
to  be  likewife  allowed  by  the  Council,  or  the  greater  Part  of  them, 
afTembled,  to  be  the  Deputy  Treafurer  of  the  faid  Company; 
Which  Deputy  fhall  have  Power,  to  do  and  execute  all  things, 
which  belong  to  the  faid  Treafurer,  during  fuch  time,  as  fuch 
Treafurer  fhall  be  either  fick,  or  otherwife  abfent  upon  Caufe  al- 
lowed of  by  the  faid  Council,  or  the  major  Part  of  them,  as  a- 
forefaid,  fo  fully  and  wholly,  and  in  as  large  and  ample  Manner 
and  Form,  to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes,  as  the  faid  Treafurer,  if 
he  were  prefent,  himfelf  might  or  could  do  and  execute  the  fame. 

XIII.  And  further,  of  our  fpecial  Grace,  certain  Knowledge, 
and  mere  Motion,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors,  we  do,  by 
thefe  Prefents,  Give  and  Grant  full  Power  and  Authority  to 
our  faid  Council,  here  refident,  as  well  at  this  prefent  Time,  as 
hereafter  from  time  to  time,  to  nominate,  make,  conflitute,  or- 
dain, and  confirm,  by  fuch  Name  or  Names,  Stile  or  Stiles,  as 
to  them  fhall  feem  good.  And  likewife  to  revoke,  difcharge, 
change,  and  alter,  as  well  all  and  fmgular  Governors,  Officers, 
and  Minifters,  which  already  have  been  made,  as  alfo  which 
hereafter  fhall  be  by  them  thought  fit  and  needful  to  be  made  or 
ufed,  for  the  Government  of  the  faid  Colony  and  Plantation : 

XIV.  And  alfo  to  make,  ordain,  and  eftablifh  all  Manner  of 
Orders,  Laws,  Direftions,  Inftruftions,  Forms,  and  Ceremonies 
of  Government  and  Magiftracy,  fit  and  necefTary,  for  and  con- 
cerning the  Government  of  the  faid  Colony  and  Plantation ;  And 
the  fame,  at  all  times  hereafter,  to  abrogate,  revoke,  or  change, 
not  only  within  the  Precindls  of  the  faid  Colony,  but  alfo  upon 
the  Seas  in  going  and  coming,  to  and  from  the  faid  Colony,  as 
they,  in  their  good  Difcretion,  fhall  think  to  be  fittefl  for  the 
Good  of  the  Adventurers  and  Inhabitants  there. 

XV.  And  we  do  alfo  declare,  that,  for  divers  Reafons  and 
Confiderations  us  thereunto  efpecially  moving,  our  Will  and 
Pleafure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  Ordain,  that  immediately  from 
and  after  fuch  time,  as  any  fuch  Governor  or  principal  Officer,  fo 
to  be  nominated  and  appointed,  by  our  faid  Council,  for  the  Go- 
vernment of  the  faid  Colony,  as  aforefaid,  fhall  arrive  in  I'irgi- 
ma,  and  give  Notice  unto  the  Colony  there  refident  of  our  Plea- 
fure in  this  Behalf,  the  Government,  Power,  and  Authority  of  the 
Prefident  and  Council,  heretofore  by  our  former  Letters  Patents 
there  eftablifhed,  and  all  Laws  and  Conftitutions,  by  them  for- 
merly 


l8  King  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

merly  made,  (hall  utterly  ceafe  and  be  determined.  And  all  Offi- 
cers, Governors,  and  Minifters,  formerly  conftituted  or  appointed, 
fhall  be  difcharged,  any  thing,  in  our  faid  former  Letters  Patents 
concerning  the  faid  Plantation  contained,  in  any  wife  to  the  con- 
trary notwithftanding ;  Straightly  charging  and  commanding  the 
Prefident  and  Council,  now  refident  in  the  faid  Colony,  upon 
their  Allegiance,  after  Knowledge  given  unto  them  of  our  Will 
and  Pleafure,  by  thefe  Prefents  fignifled  and  declared,  that  they 
forthwith  be  obedient  to  fuch  Governor  or  Governors,  as  by  our 
faid  Council,  here  refident,  (hall  be  named  and  appointed,  as  a- 
forefaid,  and  to  all  Direftions,  Orders,  and  Commandments, 
which  they  fhall  receive  from  them,  as  well  in  the  prefent  Refign- 
ing  and  Giving  up  of  their  Authority,  Offices,  Charge,  and  Places, 
as  in  all  other  Attendance,  as  fhall  be  by  them,  from  time  to 
time,  required. 

X V'l.  And  we  do  further,  by  thefe  Prefents,  Ordain  and 
eflablifh,  that  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Council  here  refident, 
and  their  SuccefTors,  or  any  four  of  them,  being  affembled  (the 
Treafurer  being  one)  fhall,  from  time  to  time,  have  full  Power 
and  Authority,  to  admit  and  receive  any  other  Perfon  into  their 
Company,  Corporation,  and  Freedom ;  And  further,  in  a  Gene- 
ral AfTembly  of  the  Adventurers,  with  the  Confent  of  the  greater 
Part,  upon  good  Caufe,  to  disfranchife  and  put  out  any  Perfon 
or  Perfons,  out  of  the  faid  Freedom  and  Company. 

XVII.  And  we  do  alfo  Grant  and  confirm,  for  Us,  our 
Heirs  and  SuccefTors,  that  it  fhall  be  lawful  for  the  faid  Treafu- 
rer and  Company,  and  their  SuccefTors,  by  Direftion  of  the  Go- 
vernors there,  to  dig  and  to  fearch  for  all  Manner  of  Mines  or 
Gold,  Silver,  Copper,  Iron,  Lead,  Tin,  and  all  Sorts  of  Mine- 
rals, as  well  within  the  Precin£l  aforefaid,  as  within  any  Part  of 
the  main  Land,  not  formerly  granted  to  any  other ;  And  t  o 
HAVE  and  ENJOY  the  Gold,  Silver,  Copper,  Iron,  Lead,  and 
Tin,  and  all  other  Minerals,  to  be  gotten  thereby,  to  the  Ufe 
and  Behoof  of  the  faid  Company  of  Planters  and  Adventurers ; 
Yielding  thereof,  and  paying  Yearly,  unto  Us,  our  Heirs  and 
Succeflbrs,  as  aforefaid. 

XVIII.  And  we  do  further,  of  our  fpecial  Grace,  certain 
Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succef- 
Tors, Grant,  by  thefe  Prefents,  to  and  with  the  faid  Treafurer 
and  Company,  and  their  SuccefTors,  that  it  fhall  be  lawful  and 
free  for  them,  and  their  Affigns,  at  all  and  every  time  and  times 
hereafter,  out  of  our  Realm  of  England,  and  out  of  all  other  our 
Dominions,  to  take  and  lead  into  the  faid  Voyages,  and  for  and 
towards  the  faid  Plantation,  and  to  travel  thitherwards,  and  to 
abide  and  inhabit  there  in  the  faid  Colony  and  Plantation,  all 
fuch  and  fo  many  of  our  loving  Subjefts,  or  any  other  Strangers, 
that  will  become  our  loving  Subjefts  and  live  under  our  Obedi- 
ence, as  fhall  willingly  accompany  them  in  the  faid  Voyage  and 
Plantation ;  With  fufficient  Shipping,  Armour,  Weapons,  Or- 
dinance, Munition,  Powder,  Shot,  Viduals,  and  fuch  Merchan- 
difes  or  Wares,  as  are  efleemed  by  the  wild  People  in  thofe 
Parts,    Cloathing,     Implements,     Furniture,    Cattle,     Horfes,    and 

Mares, 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23,  1609.     19 

Mares,  and  all  other  things,  neceflary  for  the  faid  Plantation,  and 
for  their  Ufe,  and  Defence,  and  Trade  with  the  People  there ; 
and  in  paffing  and  returning  to  and  fro ;  Without  yielding  or 
paying  Subfidy,  Cuftom,  Impofition,  or  any  other  Tax  or  Duty, 
to  Us,  our  Heirs  or  Succeffors,  for  the  Space  of  feven  Years 
from  the  Date  of  thefe  Prefents :  Provided,  that  none  of  the 
faid  Perfons  be  fuch,  as  fhall  be  hereafter,  by  efpecial  Name, 
reftrained  by  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs. 

XIX.  And  for  their  further  Encouragement,  of  our  fpecial 
Grace  and  Favour,  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  for  Us,  our  Heirs, 
and  Succeflbrs,  Yield  and  Grant,  to  and  with  the  faid  Trea- 
furer and  Company,  and  their  Succeflbrs,  and  every  of  them, 
their  Faftors,  and  Afligns,  that  they,  and  every  of  them,  fhall 
be  free  of  all  Subfidies  and  Cuftoms  in  Virginia,  for  the  Space  of 
one  and  twenty  Years,  and  from  all  Taxes  and  Impofitiops,  for 
ever,  upon  any  Goods  or  Merchandifes,  at  any  time  or  times  here- 
after, either  upon  Importation  thither,  or  Exportation  from  thence, 
into  our  Realm  of  England y  or  into  any  other  of  our  Realms  or 
Dominions,  by  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Suc- 
ceflbrs, their  Deputies,  Fadlors,  or  Afligns,  or  any  of  them : 
Except  only  the  five  Pounds  per  Cent,  due  for  Cuft:om,  upon  all 
fuch  Goods  and  Merchandifes,  as  fhall  be  brought  or  imported 
into  our  Realm  of  England,  or  any  other  of  thefe  our  Dominions, 
according  to  the  ancient  Trade  of  Merchants ;  Which  five 
Pounds  per  Cent,  only  being  paid,  it  fhall  be  thenceforth  law- 
ful and  free  for  the  faid  Adventurers,  the  fame  Goods  and  Mer- 
chandifes to  export,  and  carry  out  of  our  faid  Dominions,  into 
foreign  Parts,  without  any  Cullom,  Tax,  or  other  Duty,  to  be 
paid  to  us,  our  Heirs,  or  SuccefTors,  or  to  any  other  our  Officers 
or  Deputies :  Provided,  that  the  faid  Goods  and  Merchandifes 
be  fhipped  out,  within  thirteen  Months,  after  their  firfl  Landing 
within  any  Part  of  thofe  Dominions. 

XX.  And  we  do  alfo  Grant  and  confirm  to  the  faid  Trea- 
furer and  Company,  and  their  SuccefTors,  as  alfo  to  all  and  every 
fuch  Governor,  or  other  Officers  and  Miniflers,  as  by  our  faid 
Council  fhall  be  appointed  to  have  Power  and  Authority  of  Go- 
vernment and  Command,  in  or  over  the  faid  Colony  and  Planta- 
tion ;  That  they,  and  every  of  them,  fhall  and  lawfully  may, 
from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  for  ever  hereafter,  for  their 
feveral  Defence  and  Safety,  encounter,  expulfe,  repel,  and  refill, 
by  Force  and  Arms,  as  well  by  Sea  as  by  Land,  and  all  Ways 
and  Means  whatfoever,  all  and  every  fuch  Perfon  and  Perfons 
whatfoever,  as  (without  the  fpecial  Licence  of  the  faid  Treafurer 
and  Company,  and  their  Succeffors)  fhall  attempt  to  inhabit, 
within  the  faid  feveral  Precindls  and  Limits  of  the  faid  Colony 
and  Plantation  ;  And  alfo,  all  and  every  fuch  Perfon  and  Perfons 
whatfoever,  as  fhall  enterprife  or  attempt,  at  any  time  hereafter, 
Deftruffion,  Invafion,  Hurt,  Detriment,  or  Annoyance,  to  the 
faid  Colony  and  Plantation,  as  is  likewife  fpecified  in  the  faid  for- 
mer Grant  : 

XXI.  And  that  it  fhall  be  lawflil  for  the  faid  Treafurer  and 
Company,  and  their  SuccefTors,  and  every  of  them,  from  time  to 

time. 


20  K.  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the 

time,  and  at  all  times  for  ever  hereafter,  and  they  fhall  have 
full  Power  and  Authority,  to  take  and  furprife,  by  all  Ways  and 
Means  whatfoever,  all  and  every  Perfon  and  Perfons  whatfoever, 
with  their  Ships,  Goods,  and  other  Furniture,  trafficking  in  any 
Harbour,  Creek,  or  Place,  within  the  Limits  or  Precinfts  of  the 
faid  Colony  and  Plantation,  *  not  being  allowed  by  the  faid 
Company  to  be  Adventurers  or  Planters  of  the  faid  Colony,  until 
fuch  time,  as  they,  being  of  any  Realms  and  Dominions  under 
cur  Obedience,  Ihall  pay,  or  agree  to  pay,  to  the  Hands  of  the 
Tieafurer  or  of  fome  other  Officer,  deputed  by  the  faid  Gover- 
nor of  Virginia  (over  and  above  fuch  Sublidy  and  Cuftom,  as  the 
faid  Company  is,  or  hereafter  fhall  be,  to  pay)  five  Pounds  per 
Cent,  upon  all  Goods  and  Merchandifes  fo  brought  in  thither, 
and  alfo  five  per  Cent,  upon  all  Goods  by  them  fhipped  out  from 
thence ;  And  being  Strangers,  and  not  under  our  Obedience, 
until  they  have  paid  (over  and  above  fuch  Subfidy  and  Cuftom,  as 
the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  or  their  Succeifors,  is,  or  here- 
after fhall  be,  to  pay)  ten  Pounds  per  Cent,  upon  all  fuch  Goods, 
likewife  carried  in  and  out,  any  thing,  in  the  faid  former  Let- 
ters Patents,  to  the  contrary  notwithftanding ;  And  the  fame 
Sums  of  Money  and  Benefit,  as  aforefaid,  for  and  during  the 
Space  of  one  and  twenty  Years,  fhall  be  wholly  employed  to  the 
Benefit,  Ufe,  and  Behoof  of  the  faid  Colony  and  Plantation ; 
And  after  the  faid  one  and  twenty  Years  ended,  the  fame  fhall 
be  taken  to  the  Ufe  of  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors,  by  fuch 
Officers  and  Minifters,  as  by  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  Succeffors,  fhall 
be  thereunto  affigned  and  appointed,  as  is  fpecified  in  the  faid 
former  Letters  Patents. 

XXII.  Also,  we  do,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors,  de- 
clare, by  thefe  Prefents,  that  all  and  every  the  Perfons,  being 
our  Subjects,  which  fhall  go  and  inhabit  within  the  faid  Colony 
and  Plantation,  and  every  of  their  Children  and  Pofterity,  which 
fhall  happen  to  be  born  within  any  the  Limits  thereof,  fhall 
HAVE  AND  ENJOY  all  Liberties,  Franchifes,  and  Immunities  of 
free  Denizens  and  natural  Subje6ls,  within  any  of  our  other  Do- 
minions, to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes,  as  if  they  had  been  abiding 
and  born,  within  this  our  Realm  of  England,  or  in  any  other  of 
our  Dominions. 

XXIII.  And  forafmuch,  as  it  fhall  be  neceflary  for  all  fuch 
our  loving  Subjeds,  as  fhall  inhabit  within  the  faid  Precindls  of 
Virgi?iia,  aforefaid,  to  determine  to  live  together,  in  the  Fear 
and  true  Worfhip  of  Almighty  God,  Chriftian  Peace,  and  civil 
Quietnefs,  each  with  other,  whereby  every  one  may,  with  more 
Safety,  Pleafure,  and  Profit,  enjoy  that,  whereunto  they  fhall 
attain  with  great  Pain  and  Peril ;  We,  for  Us,  our  Heirs  and 
Succeffors,  are  likewife  pleafed  and  contented,  and  by  thefe  Pre- 
fents, do  GIVE  and  grant  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Com- 
pany, and  their   Succeffors,  and   to   fuch   Governors,  Officers,  and 

Mi- 

*  It  is  anJ  Being  in  the  Original ;  but  the  Senfe  carried  me  fo  clearly  to  it, 
that  I  ventured  to  make  this  Corredlion,  letting  the  Reader  at  the  fame 
time  know  it. 


Treafurer  and  Company  for  Virginia,  May  23, 1609.      21 

Minifters,  as  fhall  be,  by  our  faid  Council,  conftituted  and  ap- 
pointed, according  to  the  Natures  and  Limits  of  their  Offices 
and  Places  refpeftively,  that  they  fhall  and  may,  from  time  to 
time  for  ever  hereafter,  v/ithin  the  faid  Precinfts  of  Virginia,  or 
in  the  Way  by  \  Sea  thither  and  from  thence,  have  flill  and  ab- 
folute  Power  and  xA.uthority,  to  corredl,  punilh,  pardon,  govern, 
and  rule,  all  fuch  the  Subjects  of  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors, 
as  fhall,  from  time  to  time,  adventure  themfelves  in  any  Voyage 
thither,  or  that  fhall,  at  any  time  hereafter,  inhabit  in  the  Pre- 
cindts  and  Territories  of  the  faid  Colony,  as  aforefaid,  according 
to  fuch  Orders,  Ordinances,  Conflitutions,  Direftions,  and  In- 
ftrudlions,  as  by  our  faid  Council,  as  aforefaid,  fhall  be  eflablifh- 
ed ;  And  in  Defeft  thereof,  in  cafe  of  Neceffity,  according  to 
the  good  f  Difcretions  of  the  faid  Governor  and  Officers,  re- 
fpeftively,  as  well  in  Cafes  capital  and  criminal  as  civil,  both 
marine  and  other ;  So  always,  as  the  faid  Statutes,  Ordinances, 
and  Proceedings,  as  near  as  conveniently  may  be,  be  agreeable 
to  the  Laws,  Statutes,  Government,  and  Policy  of  this  our 
Realm  oi  England. 

XXIV.  And  we  do  further,  of  our  fpecial  Grace,  certain 
Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion,  grant,  declare,  and  or- 
dain, that  fuch  principal  Governor,  as,  from  time  to  time, 
fhall  duly  and  lawfully  be  authorifed  and  appointed,  in  Manner 
and  Form  in  thefe  Prefents  heretofore  exprefied,  fhall  have  full 
Power  and  Authority,  to  ufe  and  exercife  Martial  Law,  in  Cafes 
of  Rebellion  or  Mutiny,  in  as  large  and  ample  Manner,  as  our 
Lieutenants  in  our  *  Counties,  within  this  our  Realm  of  En- 
gland, have,  or  ought  to  have,  by  Force  of  their  Commiffions  of 
Lieutenancy. 

XXV.  And  fiarthermore,  if  any  Perfon  or  Perfons,  Adven- 
turers or  Planters  of  the  faid  Colony,  or  any  other,  at  any  time 
or  times  hereafter,  fhall  tranfport  any  Monies,  Goods,  or  Mer- 
chandifes,  out  of  any  of  our  Kingdoms,  with  a  Pretence  or 
Purpofe,  to  land,  fell,  or  otherwife  difpofe  of  the  fame,  within 
the  Limits  or  Bounds  of  the  faid  Colony,  and  yet  neverthelefs, 
being  at  Sea,  or  after  he  hath  landed  within  any  Part  of  the  faid 
Colony,  fhall  carry  the  fame  into  any  other  foreign  Country, 
with  a  Purpofe  there  to  fell  and  difpofe  thereof;  That  then,  all 
the  Goods  and  Chattels  of  the  faid  Perfon,  or  Perfons,  fo  of- 
fending and  tranfported,  together  with  the  Ship  or  Veflel,  where- 
in fuch  Tranfportation  was  made,  fhall  be  forfeited  to  Us,  our 
Heirs  and  Succeffors. 

XX VL  And  further,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  that  in  all 
Queftions  and  Doubts,  that  fhall  arife,  upon  any  Difficulty  of 
Conftrudlion  or  Interpretation  of  any  thing,  contained  either  in 
this  or  in  our  faid  former  Letters  Patents,  the  fame  fhall  be  taken 
and  interpreted,  in  moft  ample  and  beneficial  Manner  for  the  faid 
Treafjrer  and  Company,  and  their  Succeffors,  and  every  Mem- 
ber thereof 


\  M.  S.  Seas.  I  M.  S.  Direaions.  *  M.  S.  Countrys. 

50  c  c  xxvn. 


22  King  James  the  I.'s  fecond  Charter  to  the  (Sc. 

XXVII.  And  further,  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  ratify  and 
CONFIRM  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Suc- 
ceflbrs,  all  the  Privileges,  Franchifes,  Liberties,  and  Immunities, 
granted  in  our  faid  former  Letters  Patents,  and  not  in  thefe  our 
Letters  Patents  revoked,  altered,  changed,  or  abridged. 

XXVIII.  And  finally,  our  Will  and  Pleasure  is,  and  we  do 
further,  hereby,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  grant  and 
agree,  to  and  with  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their 
Succeflbrs,  that  all  and  fmgular  Perfon  and  Perfons,  which  fhall, 
at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  adventure  any  Sum  or  Sums  of 
Money,  in  and  towards  the  faid  Plantation  of  the  faid  Colony 
in  Virginia,  and  fhall  be  admitted,  by  the  faid  Council  and 
Company,  as  Adventurers  of  the  faid  Colony,  in  Form  aforefaid, 
and  fhall  be  enrolled  in  the  Book  or  Records  of  the  Adventurers 
of  the  faid  Company,  fhall  and  may  be  accounted,  accepted,  ta- 
ken, held,  and  reputed.  Adventurers  of  the  faid  Colony,  and 
fhall  and  may  enjoy  all  and  fmgular  Grants,  Privileges,  Liberties, 
Benefits,  Profits,  Commodities,  and  Immunities,  Advantages,  and 
Emoluments,  whacfoever,  as  fully,  largely,  amply,  and  abfolute- 
ly,  as  if  they,  and  every  of  them,  had  been  precifely,  plainly 
Angularly,  and  diftinftly,  named  and  inferted  in  thefe  our  Letters 
Patents. 

XXIX.  And  laftly,  becaufe  the  principal  EfFeci,  which  we 
can  defire  or  expect  of  this  Adion,  is  the  Converfion  and  Re- 
duction of  the  People  in  thofe  Parts  unto  the  true  Worfhip  of 
God  and  Chriftiau  Religion,  in  which  Refpedl  we  fhould  be 
loath,  that  any  Perfon  fhould  be  permitted  to  pafs,  that  we 
fufpefted  to  effect  the  fuperftitions  of  the  Church  of  Rome ; 
We  do  hereby  declare,  that  it  is  our  Will  and  Pleafure,  that 
none  be  permitted  to  pafs  in  any  Voyage,  from  time  to  time  to 
be  made  into  the  faid  Country,  but  fuch,  as  firft  fhall  have 
taken  the  Oath  of  Supremacy ;  For  which  Purpofe,  we  do,  by 
thefe  Prefents,  give  full  Power  and  Authority,  to  the  Treafurer 
for  the  time  being,  and  any  three  of  the  Council,  to  tender  and 
exhibit  the  faid  Oath,  to  all  fuch  Perfons,  as  fhall,  at  any  time, 
be  fent  and  employed  in  the  faid  Voyage.  Although  exprefs 
Mention  of  the  true  Yearly  Value  or  Certainty  of  the  Premifes, 
or  any  of  them,  or  of  any  other  Gifts  or  Grants,  by  Us  or  any 
of  our  Progenitors  or  PredecefTors,  to  the  aforefaid  Treafurer  and 
Company  heretofore  made,  in  thefe  Prefents  is  not  made ;  Or 
any  A6t,  Statute,  Ordinance,  Provifion,  Proclamation,  or  Re- 
ftraint,  to  the  contrary  hereof  had,  made,  ordained,  or  provided, 
or  any  other  Thing,  Caufe,  or  Matter,  whatfoever,  in  any  wife 
notwithftanding.  In  Witness  whereof.  We  have  caufed  thefe 
our  Letters  to  be  made  Patent.  Witnefs  ourfelf  at  Wejlmvi/ler, 
the  23d  Day  of  May,  in  the  feventh  Year  of  our  Reign  of  En- 
gland, France,  and  Ireland,  and  of  Scotland  the  **** 

Per  ipjum  Regem 

Lukin. 

N^  III. 


23 


N°-  IIL 

A  third  Charter  of  K.  James  /.  to  the  Treafurer  and  Com- 
pariy  for  Y'ng\n\?i.      Dated  March   12,  1611-2. 

I.  Il  A  M  ES,  hy  the  Grace  of  God,  King  o^ England,  Scotland, 
J  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith  ;  To  all,  to 
whom  thefe  Prefents  fhall  come.  Greeting.  W  h  e  r  e  a  s,  at  the 
humble  Suit  of  divers  and  fundry  our  loving  Subjeds,  as  well 
Adventurers  as  Planters  of  the  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  and  for 
the  Propagation  of  Chrijlia7i  Religion,  and  reclaiming  of  People 
barbarous  to  Civility  and  Humanity,  We  have,  by  our  Letters 
Patents,  bearing  Date,  at  W ejhninjler ,  the  three  and  twentieth 
Day  of  May,  in  the  feventh  Year  of  our  Reign  of  England, 
France,  and  Ireland,  and  the  two  and  fortieth  oi Scotland,  Given 
and  Granted  unto  them,  that  they,  and  all  fuch  and  fo  many 
of  our  loving  Subjeds,  as  fhould,  from  time  to  time  for  ever  af- 
ter, be  joined  with  them,  as  Planters  or  Adventurers  in  the  faid 
Plantation,  and  their  Succeflbrs,  for  ever^  fhould  be  one  Body 
politick,  incorporated  by  the  Name  of.  The  Treafurer  and  Com- 
pany of  Adventurers  and  Planters  of  the  City  of  London  for  tlu 
firji  Colony  in  Virginia  ; 

II.  And  whereas  alfo,  for  the  greater  Good  and  Benefit  of 
the  faid  Company,  and  for  the  better  Furtherance,  Strengthening, 
and  Eftablifhing  of  the  faid  Plantation,  we  did  further  Give, 
Grant,  and  Confirm,  by  our  faid  Letters  Patents,  unto  the 
faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Succeflbrs,  for  ever,  all 
thofe  Lands,  Countries,  or  Territories,  fituate,  lying,  and  being, 
in  that  Part  of  America  called  Virginia,  from  the  Point  of 
Land,  called  Cape  or  Point  Comfort,  all  along  the  Sea  Coafts,  to 
the  Northward,  two  hundred  Miles,  and  from  the  faid  Point  of 
Cape  Comfort,  all  along  the  Sea  Coaft,  to  the  Southward,  two 
hundred  Miles,  and  all  that  Space  and  Circuit  of  Land,  lying  from 
the  Sea  Coaft  of  the  Precinft  aforefaid,  up  or  into  the  Land, 
throughout  from  Sea  to  Sea,  Weji  and  Northzcejl,  and  alfo  all 
the  Iflands,  lying  within  one  hundred  Miles,  along  the  Coaft  of 
both  the  Seas  of  the  Precinft  aforefaid,  with  divers  other  Grants, 
Liberties,  Franchifes,  and  Preheminences,  Previleges,  Profits,  Be- 
nefits, and  Commodities,  granted,  in  and  by  our  faid  Letters  Pa- 
tents, to  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Succefle)rs, 
for  ever : 

III.  Now,  forafmuch  as  we  are  given  to  underftand,  that  in 
thofe  Seas,  adjoining  to  the  faid  Coafts  of  Virginia,  and  without 
the  Compafs  of  thofe  two  hundred  Miles,  by  Us  fo  granted  unto 
the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  as  aforeiaid,  and  yet  not  far 
diftant  from  the  faid  Colony  in  Virginia,  there  are,  or  may  be, 
divers  Iflands,  lying  defolate  and  uninhabited,  fome  of  which  are 
already   made    known   and    difcovered,    by   the    Induftry,   Travel, 

C  c  2  and 


24  A  third  Charter  of  K.  James  I.  to  the  Treafurer 

and  Expences  of  the  faid  Company,  and  others  alfo  are  fuppofed 
to  be  and  remain,  as  yet,  unknown  and  undifcovered,  all  and 
every  of  which  it  may  import  the  faid  Colony,  both  in  Safety 
and  Policy  of  Trade,  to  populate  and  plant,  in  Regard  whereof, 
as  well  for  the  preventing  of  Peril,  as  for  the  better  Commodity 
and  Profperity  of  the  faid  Colony,  they  have  been  humble  Suitors 
unto  us,  that  we  would  be  pleafed  to  grant  unto  them  \  an  En- 
largement of  our  faid  former  Letters  Patents,  as  well  for  a  more 
ample  Extent  of  their  Limits  and  Territories  into  the  Seas,  ad- 
joining to  and  upon  the  Coaft  of  Virginia,  as  alfo  for  fome  other 
Matters  and  Articles,  concerning  the  better  Government  of  the 
faid  Company  and  Colony,  in  which  Point  our  faid  former  Let- 
ters Patents  do  not  extend  fo  far,  as  Time  and  Experience  hath 
found  to  be  needful  and  convenient : 

IV.  \V  E  therefore,  tendering  the  good  and  happy  Succefs  of 
the  faid  Plantation,  both  in  Regard  of  the  general  \  Weal  of 
human  Society,  as  in  Refpeft  of  the  Good  of  our  own  Eftate  and 
Kingdoms,  and  being  willing  to  give  Furtherance  unto  all  good 
Means,  that  may  advance  the  Benefit  of  the  faid  *  Company, 
and  which  may  fecure  the  Safety  of  our  loving  Subjedts,  planted 
in  our  faid  Colony  under  the  Favour  and  Protedlion  of  God  Al- 
mighty, and  of  our  Royal  Power  and  Authority,  have  therefore, 
,of  our  efpecial  Grace,  certain  Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion, 
given,  granted,  and  confirmed,  and  for  Us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cefTors,  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  Give,  Grant,  and  Confirm, 
to  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Planters 
of  the  City  of  London  for  the  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  and  to 
their  Heirs  and  SuccefTors,  for  ever,  all  and  lingular  thofe  Iflands 
whatfoever,  fituate  and  being  in  any  Part  of  the  Ocean  Seas 
bordering  upon  the  Coafl  of  our  faid  firfl  Colony  in  Virginia,  and 
being  within  three  hundred  Leagues  of  any  the  Parts  heretofore 
granted  to  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  in  our  faid  former 
Letters  Patents,  as  aforefaid,  and  being  within  or  between  the 
one  and  fortieth  and  thirtieth  Degrees  of  Northerly  Latitude,  To- 
gether with  all  and  lingular  Soils,  Lands,  Grounds,  Havens, 
Ports,  Rivers,  Waters,  Fifhings,  Mines,  and  Minerals,  as  well 
Royal  Mines  of  Gold  and  Silver,  as  other  Mines  and  Minerals, 
Pearls,  Precious  Stones,  Quarries,  and  all  and  fmgular  other  Com- 
modities, Jurifdiftions,  Royalties,  Privileges,  Franchifes,  and  Pre- 
heminences,  both  within  the  faid  Tradl  of  Land  upon  the  Main, 
and  alfo  within  the  faid  Iflands  and  Seas  adjoining,  whatfoever, 
and  thereunto  or  thereabouts,  both  by  Sea  and  Land,  being  or 
fituate  ;  And  which,  by  our  Letters  Patents,  we  may  or  can 
grant,  and  in  as  ample  Manner  and  Sort,  as  We,  or  any  our  no- 
ble Progenitors,  have  heretofore  granted  to  any  Perfon  or  Per- 
fons,  or  to  any  Company,  Body  politick  or  corporate,  or  to  any 
Adventurer  or  Adventurers,  Undertaker  or  Undertakers,  of  any 
Difcoveries,  Plantations,  or  Traffick,  of  in  or  into  any  foreign 
Parts,  whatfoever,  and  in  as  large   and   ample   Manner,   as  if  the 

f  and,  M.  S.  %  M.  S.    Wheel.  *  M.  S.  Companies. 

fame 


and  Company  for  Virginia,  March  12,  1611-2.  25 

fame  were  herein  particularly  named,  mentioned,  and  exprefled  : 
Provided  always,  that  the  faid  Iflands,  or  any  the  Premifes  herein 
mentioned,  or  by  thefe  Prefents  intended  or  J  meant  to  be  granted, 
be  not  aftually  poflefled  or  inhabited  by  any  other  Clirijhan  Prince 
or  Eftate,  nor  be  within  the  Bounds,  Limits,  or  Territories  of  the 
Northern  Colony,  heretofore  by  Us  granted  to  be  planted  by  divers 
of  our  loving  Subjeds,  in  the  North  Parts  of  Virginia.  To  have 
AND  TO  HOLD,  pofTefs  and  enjoy,  \  all  and  fmgular  the  faid 
Iflands,  in  the  faid  Ocean  Seas  fo  lying,  and  bordering  upon  the 
Coaft  and  Coafts  of  the  Territories  of  the  faid  firft  Colony  in 
Virginia,  as  aforefaid  ;  With  all  and  fmgular  the  faid  Soils,  Lands, 
and  Grounds,  and  all  and  fmgular  other  the  Premifes,  heretofore 
by  thefe  Prefents  granted,  or  mentioned  to  be  granted,  to  them, 
the  faid  *  Treafurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Planters 
of  the  City  of  London  for  the  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  and  to  their 
Heirs,  Succelfors,  and  Affigns,  for  ever,  to  the  fole  and  proper  Ufe 
and  Behoof  of  them,  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their 
Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  and  Affigns,  for  ever  ;  To  be  holden 
of  us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs,  as  of  our  Manor  of  Ea/l-Green- 
wich,  in  free  and  common  Soccage,  and  not  in  Capite ;  Yield- 
ing AND  PAYING  therefore  to  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs, 
the  I  fifth  Part  of  the  Ore  of  all  Gold  and  Silver,  which  fhall  be 
there  gotten,  had,  or  obtained,  for  all  Manner  of  Services  what- 
foever. 

V.  And  further,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  and  we  do,  by  thefe 
Prefents,  Grant  and  confirm,  for  the  Good  and  Welfare  of 
the  faid  Plantation,  and  that  Pofterity  may  hereafter  know,  who 
have  adventured  and  not  been  fparing  of  their  Purfes  in  fuch  a 
noble  and  generous  Aftion  for  the  general  Good  of  their  Country, 
and  at  the  Requeft,  and  with  the  Confent,  of  the  Company  a- 
forefaid,  that  our  trufty  and  well-beloved  §  Subjects,  George, 
Lord  Archbifliop  of  Canterbury,  Henry,  Earl  of  Huntington,  Ed- 
ward, Earl  of  Bedford,  Richard,  Earl  of  Clanrickard,  &c.  who 
fmce  our  faid  laft  Letters  Patents  are  become  Adventurers,  and 
have  joined  themfelves  with  the  former  Adventurers  and  Planters 
of  the  faid  Company  and  Society,  fliall,  from  henceforth,  be  re- 
puted, deemed,  and  taken  to  be,  and  fhall  be  Brethren  and  free 
Members  of  the  Company,  and  Ihall  and  may,  refpeftively,  and 
according  to  the  Proportion  and  Value  of  their  feveral  Adven- 
tures, HAVE,  hold,  and  enjoy  all  fuch  Intereft,  Right,  Title, 
Privileges,  Preheminences,  Liberties,  Franchifes,  Immunities, 
Profits,  and  Commodities,  whatfoever,  in  as  large,  and  ample, 
and  beneficial  Manner,  to  all  Intents,  Conftruflions,  and  Purpo- 
fes,  as  any  other  Adventurers,  nominated  and  exprefled  in  any 
our  former  Letters  Patents,  or  any  of  them,  have  or  may  have, 
by  Force  and  Virtue  of  thefe  Prefents,  or  any  our  former  Letters 
Patents  whatfoever. 


\  M.  S.  mean.  \  M.  S.  and  and  fmgular.  *  M.  S.    Trcafurcrt. 

I   M.  S.  JirJ}.  §  M.  S.   Subjca. 

VI.   And 


26         A  third  Charter  of  K.  James  the  I.  to  the  Treafurer 

VI.  A  N  D  we  are  further  pleafed,  and  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents, 
Grant  and  confirm,  that  Philip,  Earl  of  Montgomery,  Wil- 
liam Lord  Paget,  Sir  John  Starrington,  Knt.  £f?c.  whom  the  faid 
Treafurer  and  Company  have,  fince  the  faid  laft  Letters  Patents, 
nominated  and  fet  down,  as  worthy  and  difcreet  Perfons,  fit  to 
ferve  us  as  Counfellors,  to  be  of  our  Council  for  the  faid  Plan- 
tation, fhall  be  reputed,  deemed,  and  taken,  as  Perfons  of  our 
faid  Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony,  in  fuch  Manner  and  Sort, 
to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes,  as  thofe,  who  have  been  formerly 
elefted  and  nominated,  as  our  Counfellors  for  that  Colony,  and 
whofe  Names  have  been  or  are  inferted  and  exprefled,  in  our  faid 
former  Letters  Patents. 

VII.  And  We  do  hereby  Ordain  and  Grant,  by  thefe  Pre- 
fents, that  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers  and 
Planters  aforefaid,  fiiall  and  may,  once  every  Week,  or  oftener, 
at  their  Pleafure,  hold    and   keep  a  Court   and   Aflembly,  for  the 

\  better  Order  and  Government  of  the  faid  Plantation,  and  fuch 
things,  as  fhall  concern  the  fame  ;  And  that  any  five  Perfons  of 
our  Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  for  the  time  be- 
ing, of  which  Company  the  Treafurer,  or  his  Deputy,  to  be  al- 
ways one,  and  the  Number  of  fifteen  others,  at  the  leaft,  of  the 
Generality  of  the  faid  Company,  affembled  together  in  fuch 
Manner,  as  is  and  hath  been  heretofore  ufed  and  accuftomed, 
fliall  be  faid,  taken,  held,  and  reputed  to  be,  and  fhall  be  zftifficient 
Court  of  the  faid  Company,  for  the  handling,  and  ordeiing,  and 
difpathcing  of  all  fuch  cafual  and  particular  Occurrences,  and  ac- 
cidental Matters,  of  lefs  Confequence  and  Weight,  as  fhall,  from 
time  to  time,  happen,  touching  and  concerning  the  faid  Plan- 
tation : 

VIII.  And  that  neverthelefs,  for  the  handling,  ordering,  and 
difpofmg  of  Matters  and  Affairs  of  greater  Weight  and  Importance, 
and  fuch,  as  fhall  or  may,  in  any  Sort,  concern  the  J  Weal  Pub- 
lick  and  general  Good  of  the  faid  Company  and  Plantation,  as 
namely,  the  Manner  of  Government  from  time  to  time  to  be 
ufed,  the  Ordering  and  Difpofing  of  the  Lands  and  PofFefiions, 
and  the  Settling  and  Eftablifhing  of  a  Trade  there,  or  fuch  like, 
there  fhall  be  held  and  kept,  every  Year,  upon  the  lafl  Wednes- 
day, fave  one,  of  Hillary  Term,  Eajkr,  Trinity,  and  Michael- 
mas Terms,  for  ever,  one  great,  general,  and  folemn  Affembly, 
which  four  Aflemblies  fliall  be  ftiled  and  called.  The  four  Great 

"  and  General  Courts  of  the  Council  and  Company  of  Adventurers  for 
Virginia',  f  In  all  and  every  of  which  faid  Great  and  General 
Courts,  fo  affembled,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  and  we  do,  for 
Us,  our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  for  ever.  Give  and  grant  to 
the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Succeflbrs,  for  ever, 
by  thefe  Prefents,  that  they,  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company, 
or  the  greater  Number  of  them,  fo  affembled,  fhall  and  may  have 
full  Power  and  Authority,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times 
hereafter,  to  eleft  and   chufe   difcreet   Perfons,  to   be  of'  our  faid 


X  M.  S.    fV,  with  a  Blank,  after  it.  f  M.  S.   in  and  every. 

Council 


and  Company  for  Virginia,  Mcirch  1 2,  1 6 1 1-2.  27 

Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  and  to  nominate 
and  appoint  fuch  Officers,  as  they  fhall  think  fit  and  requifite,  for 
the  Government,  Managing,  Ordering,  and  Difpatching  of  the 
Affairs  of  the  faid  Company ;  And  fhall  likewife  have  full  Power 
and  Authority,  to  ordain  and  make  fuch  L.z.y/s  and  Ordinances, 
for  the  Good  and  Welfare  of  the  faid  Plantation,  as  to  them, 
from  time  to  time,  fhall  be  thought  requifite  and  meet :  So  al- 
ways, as  the  fame  be  not  contrary  to  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of 
this  our  Realm  of  England ;  And  fhall,  in  like  Manner,  *  have 
Power  and  Authority,  to  expulfe,  disfranchife,  and  put,  out  of 
and  from  their  faid  Company  and  Society,  for  ever,  all  and  every 
fuch  Perfon  and  Perfons,  as  having  either  promifed,  or  fubfcribed 
their  Names,  to  become  Adventurers  to  the  faid  Plantation  of  the 
faid  firft  Colony  in  Firginia,  f  or  having  been  nominated  for  Ad- 
venturers, in  thefe  or  any  other  our  Letters  Patents,  or  having 
been  otherwife  admitted  and  nominated  to  be  of  the  faid  Com- 
pany, have  neverthelefs,  either  not  put  in  any  Adventure  at  all, 
for  and  towards  the  faid  Plantation,  or  elfe  have  refufed  and  neg- 
lected, or  fhall  refufe  and  neglect,  to  bring  in  his  or  their  Ad- 
venture, by  Word  or  Writing  promifed,  within  fix  Months  after 
the  fame  fhall  be  fo  payable  and  due. 

IX.  And  whereas  the  Failing  and  not  Payment  of  fuch  Mo- 
nies, as  have  been  promifed  in  Adventure  for  the  Advancement 
of  the  faid  Plantation,  hath  been  often  by  Experience  found,  to 
be  dangerous  and  prejudicial  to  the  fame,  and  much  to  have  hin- 
dered the  Progrefs  and  Proceeding  of  the  faid  Plantation,  and  for 
that  it  feemeth  unto  Us  a  thing  reafonable,  that  fuch  Perfons,  as 
by  their  Hand  Writing  have  engaged  themfelves  for  the  Payment 
of  their  Adventures,  and  afterwards  neglefting  their  Faith  and 
Promife,  fhould  be  compelled  to  make  good  and  keep  the  fame  ; 
Therefore  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  that  in  any  Suit  or  Suits, 
commenced  or  to  be  commenced,  in  any  of  our  Courts  at  Wejl- 
minjier,  or  elfewhere,  by  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  or 
otherwife,  againft  any  fuch  Perfons,  that  our  Judges  for  the  time 
being,  both  in  our  Court  of  Chancery  and  at  the  Common  Pleas, 
do  favour  and  flirther  the  faid  Suits,  fo  far  forth  as  Law  and  E- 
quity  will,  in  any  wife,  further  and  permit. 

X.  And  we  do,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  SuccefTors,  further 
Give  and  Grant  to  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  or  their 
SuccefTors,  for  ever,  that  they,  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company, 
or  the  greater  Part  of  them,  for  the  time  being,  fo  in  a  full  and 
general  Court  affembled,  as  aforefaid,  fhall  and  may,  from  time 
to  time,  and  at  all  times  for  ever  hereafter,  elecft,  choofe,  and 
admit  into  their  Company  and  Society,  any  Perfon  or  Perfons, 
as  well  Strangers  \  and  Aliens,  born  in  any  Part  beyond  the  Seas 
wherefbever,  being  in  Amity  with  us,  as  our  natural  Leige-Sub- 
jefts,  born  in  any  our  Realms  and  Dominions ;  And  that  all  fuch 
Perfons,  fo  elefted,  chofen,  and  admitted  to  be  of  the  faid  Com- 
pany, as  aforefaid,    fhall   thereupon   be   taken,   reputed,  and   held. 


*  M.  S.    ha-ve  and  Authority.  f  M.  S.  of.  J  M.  S.  as. 

and 


28  A  third  Charter  of  K.  Jaines  I.  to  the  Trcafurer 

and  fhall  be,  free  Members  of  the  faid  Company,  and  fhall  have, 
hold,  and  enjoy  all  and  lingular  Freedoms,  Liberties,  Franchiies, 
Privileges,  Immunities,  Benefits,  Profits,  and  Commodities,  what- 
foever,  to  the  faid  Company  in  any  Sort  belonging  or  appertain- 
ing, as  fully,  freely,  and  amply,  as  any  other  Adventurers,  now- 
being,  or  which  hereafter  at  any  time  fhall  be  of  the  faid  Com- 
pany, hath,  have,  fhall,  may,  might,  or  ought  to  have  and  enjoy 
the  fame,  to  all  Intents  and  Purpofes  whatfoever. 

XI.  And  we  do  further,  of  our  elpecial  Grace,  certain 
Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succef- 
fors,  GIVE  AND  GRANT  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company, 
and  their  SuccefTors,  for  ever,  by  thefe  Prefents,  that  it  fhall  be 
lawful  and  free,  for  them  and  their  Affigns,  at  all  and  every  time 
and  times  hereafter,  out  of  any  our  Realms  and  Dominions  what- 
foever, to  take,  lead,  carry,  and  tranfport,  in  and  into  the  faid 
Voyage,  and  for  and  towards  the  faid  Plantation  of  our  faid  firft 
Colony  in  Virginia,  all  fuch  and  fo  many  of  our  loving  Subjedls, 
or  any  other  Strangers,  that  will  become  our  loving  Subjedls  and 
live  under  our  Allegiance,  as  fhall  willingly  accompany  them  in 
the  faid  Voyages  and  Plantation  ;  With  Shipping,  Armour,  Wea- 
pons, Ordinance,  Munition,  Powder,  Shot,  Viftuals,  and  all 
Manner  of  Merchandifes  and  Wares,  and  all  Manner  of  Cloach- 
ing,  Implements,  Furniture,  Beafts,  Cattle,  Horfes,  Mares  and 
all  other  things  necefTary  for  the  faid  Plantation,  and  for  their 
Ufe  and  Defence,  and  for  Trade  with  the  People  there,  and  in 
palling  and  returning  to  and  from,  without  paying  or  yielding 
any  Subfidy,  Cuftom,  or  Impofition,  either  inward  or  outward, 
or  any  other  Duty,  to  Us,  our  Heirs,  or  SuccefTors,  for  the 
fame,  for  the  Space  of  feven  Years  from  the  Date  of  thefe  Pre- 
fents. 

XII.  And  we  do  further,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeflbrs, 
Give  and  grant  to  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and 
their  SuccefTors,  for  ever,  by  thefe  Prefents,  that  the  faid  Trea- 
furer of  that  Company,  or  his  Deputy,  for  the  time  being,  or 
any  two  other  of  the  faid  Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony  in 
Virginia,  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  other  at  all  times  here- 
after, and  from  time  to  time,  have  full  Power  and  Authority, 
to  minifler  and  give  the  Oath  and  Oaths  of  Supremacy  and  Al- 
legiance, or  either  of  them,  to  all  and  every  Perfon  and  Perfons, 
which  fhall,  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  go  or  pafs  to  the 
faid  Colony  in  Virginia : 

XIII.  And  further,  that  it  fhall  be  lawflal  likewife  for  the 
faid  Treafurer,  or  his  Deputy,  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two 
or  others  of  our  faid  Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony  in  Virginia, 
for  the  time  being,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereaf- 
ter, to  minifter  fuch  a  formal  Oath,  as  by  their  Difcretion  fhall 
be  reafonably  devifed,  as  well  unto  any  Perfon  or  Perfons,  em- 
ployed in,  for,  or  touching  the  faid  Plantation,  for  their  honeft, 
faithful,  and  juft  Difcharge  of  their  Service,  in  all  fuch  Matters, 
as  fhall  be  committed  unto  them  for  the  Good  and  Benefit  of  the 
faid  Company,  Colony,  and  Plantation ;  As  alfo,  unto  fuch  other 
Perfon   or   Perfons,   as  the  faid  Treafurer,   or    his    Deputy,   with 

two 


and  Company  for  Virginia,  March  12,  i6ll-2.  29 

two  others  of  the  faid  Council,  fhall  think  meet,  for  the  Examina- 
tion or  clearing  of  the  Truth,  in  any  Caufe  whatfoever  concern- 
ing the  faid  Plantation,  or  any  Bufmefs,  from  thence  proceeding, 
or  thereunto  belonging. 

XIV.  And  furthermore,  whereas  we  have  been  certified, 
that  divers  lewd  and  ill-difpofed  Perfons,  both  Sailers,  Soldiers, 
Artificers,  Hufbandmen,  Labourers,  and  others,  having  received 
Wages,  *  Apparel,  and  other  Entertainment  firom  the  faid  Com- 
pany, or  having  contrafted  and  agreed  with  the  faid  Company, 
to  go,  or  to  ferve,  or  to  be  employed  in  the  faid  Plantation  of 
the  faid  firft  Colony  in  Virginia,  have  afterwards,  either  with- 
drawn, hid,  or  concealed  themfelves,  or  have  refufed  to  go  thi- 
ther, after  they  have  been  fo  entertained  and  agreed  withal ; 
And  that  divers  and  fundry  Perfons  alfo,  which  have  been  fcnt 
and  employed  in  the  faid  Plantation  of  the  faid  firft  Colony  in 
Virginia,  at  and  upon  the  Charge  of  the  faid  Company,  and 
having  there  mifbehaved  themfelves  by  Mutinies,  Sedition,  or 
other  notorious  Mifdemeanors,  or  having  been  employed  or  fent 
abroad,  by  the  Governor  of  Virginia  or  his  Deputy,  with  fome 
Ship  or  Pinnace,  for  our  Provifion  of  the  faid  Colony,  or  for  fome 
Difcovery,  or  other  Bufinefs  and  Affairs,  concerning  the  fame, 
have  from  thence  moft  treacheroufly,  either  come  back  again  and 
returned  into  our  Realm  of  England,  by  Stealth,  or  without 
Licence  of  our  Governor  of  our  faid  Colony  in  Virginia  for  the 
time  being,  or  have  been  fent  hither,  as  Mifdoers  and  Offenders ; 
And  that  many  alfo  of  thofe  Perfons,  after  their  Return  from 
thence,  having  been  queftioned  by  our  faid  Council  here,  for 
fuch  their  Mifbehaviors  and  Offences,  by  their  infolent  and  con- 
temptuous Carriage  in  the  Prefence  of  our  faid  Council,  have 
fhcwed  little  Refpeft  and  Reverence,  either  to  the  Place,  or  Au- 
thority, in  which  we  have  placed  and  appointed  them ;  And 
others,  for  the  colouring  of  their  Lewdnefs  and  Mifdemeanors 
committed  in  Virginia,  have  endeavoured,  by  moft  vile  and 
flanderous  Reports,  made  and  divulged,  as  well  of  the  Country 
of  Virginia,  as  alfo  of  the  Government  and  Eftate  of  the  faid 
Plantation  and  Colony,  as  much  as  in  them  lay,  to  bring  the  faid 
Voyage  and  Plantation  into  Difgrace  and  Contempt  ;  By  Means 
whereof,  not  only  the  Adventurers  and  Planters,  already  engaged 
in  the  faid  Plantation,  have  been  exceedingly  abufed  and  hinder- 
ed, and  a  great  Number  of  other  our  loving  and  well-difpofed 
Subjefts,  otherwife  well-affefted,  and  enclined  to  join  and  ad- 
venture in  fo  noble,  chriftian,  and  worthy  an  Aftion,  have  been 
difrouraged  from  the  fame,  but  alfo  the  utter  Overthrow  and 
Ruin  of  the  faid  Enterprife  hath  been  greatly  endangered,  which 
cannot  mifcarry  without  fome  Difhonour  to  Us  and  our  King- 
dom ; 

XV.  Now,  forafmuch  as  it  appeareth  unto  us,  that  thefe  In- 
folences,  Mifdemeanors,  and  Abufes,  not  to  be  tolerated  in  any 
civil  Government,  have,  for  the  moft  part,  grown  and  proceed- 
ed, in  regard  our  faid  Council  have  not  any  direft  Power  and 


*  M.  S.  Appell  an  other. 

51  D  d  Au- 


30  A  third  Charter  of  K.  James  L  to  the  Treafurer 

Authority,  by  any  exprefs  Words  in  our  former  Letters  Patents, 
to  corred  and  chaftife  fuch  Offenders;  We  therefore,  for  the 
more  fpeedy  Reformation  of  fo  great  and  enormous  Abufes  and 
Mifdemeanors,  heretofore  pradlifed  and  committed,  and  for  the 
preventing  of  the  like  hereafter,  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  for  Us, 
our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors,  give  and  grant  to  the  faid  Trea- 
furer and  Company,  and  their  Succeffors,  for  ever,  that  it  (hall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  our  faid  Council  for  the  faid  firft  Colony 
in  Virginia,  or  any  two  of  them  (whereof  the  faid  Treafurer,  or 
his  Deputy,  for  the  time  being,  to  be  always  one)  by  Warrant 
under  their  Hands,  to  fend  for,  or  to  caufe  to  be  apprehended, 
all  and  every  fuch  Perfon  and  Perfons,  who  fhall  be  noted,  or 
accufed,  or  found,  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  to  offend,  or 
mifbehave  themfelves,  in  any  the  Offences  before  mentioned  and 
expreffed  ;  And  upon  the  Examination  of  any  fuch  Offender  or 
offenders,  and  juft  Proof  made  by  Oath,  taken  before  the  faid 
Council,  of  any  fuch  notorious  Mifdemeanors  by  them  com- 
mitted, as  aforefaid ;  And  alfo  upon  any  infolent,  and  contemp- 
tuous, or  indecent  Carriage  and  Mifbehaviour,  to  or  againft  our 
faid  Council,  fhewed  or  ufed  by  any  fuch  Perfon  or  Perfons,  fo 
called,  convented,  and  appearing  before  them,  as  aforefaid ; 
That  in  all  fuch  Cafes,  they,  our  faid  Council,  or  any  two  of 
them,  for  the  time  being,  fhall  and  may  have  full  Power  and 
Authority,  either  here  to  bind  them  over  with  good  Sureties  for 
their  good  Behaviour,  and  further  therein  to  proceed,  to  all  In- 
tents and  Purpofes,  as  it  is  ufed,  in  other  like  Cafes,  within  our 
Realm  of  England;  Or  elfe,  at  their  Difcretions,  to  remand  and 
fend  them  back,  the  faid  Offenders,  or  any  of  them,  unto  the 
faid  Colony  in  Virginia,  there  to  be  proceeded  againft  and  pu- 
nifhed,  as  the  Governor,  Deputy,  or  Council  there,  for  the 
time  being,  {hall  think  meet ;  or  otherwife,  according  to  fuch 
Laws  and  Ordinances,  as  are  and  fhall  be  in  Ufe  there,  for  the 
Well-ordering  and  good  Government  of  the  faid  Colony. 

X VL  And  for  the  more  effedlual  Advancing  of  the  faid  Plan- 
tation, we  do  further,  for  Us,  our  Heirs,  and  Succeffors,  of  our 
efpecial  Grace  and  Favour,  by  Virtue  of  our  Prerogative  Royal, 
and  by  the  Affent  and  Confent  of  the  Lords  and  others  of  our 
Privy  Council,  Give  and  grant,  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and 
Company,  full  Power  and  Authority,  free  Leave,  Liberty,  and 
Licence,  to  fet  forth,  ered,  and  publifh,  one  or  more  Lottery 
or  Lotteries,  to  have  Continuance,  and  to  endure  and  be  held, 
^.^for  the  Space  of  our  whole  Year,  next  after  the  Opening  of  the 
-  fame  ;  And  after  the  End  and  Expiration  of  the  faid  Term,  the 
faid  Lottery  or  Lotteries  to  continue  and  be  further  kept,  during 
our  Will  and  Pleafure  only,  and  not  otherwife.  And  yet  never- 
thelefs,  we  are  contented  and  pleafed,  for  the  Good  and  Welfare 
of  the  faid  Plantation,  that  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company 
fhall,  for  the  Difpatch  and  Finifhing  of  the  faid  Lottery  or  Lot- 
teries, have  fix  Months  Warning  after  the  faid  Year  ended,  be- 
fore our  Will  and  Pleafure  fhall,  for  and  on  that  Behalf,  be  con- 
ftrued,  deemed,  and  adjudged,  to  be  in  any  wife  altered  and  de- 
termined. 

XVIL 


and  Company  for  Virginia,  March  12,  1611-2.  31 

XVII.  And  our  further  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  that  the  faid 
Lottery  and  Lotteries  fhall  and  may  be  opened  and  held,  within 
our  City  of  London,  or  in  any  other  City  or  Town,  or  elfewhere, 

^ithin  this  our  Realm  of  England,  with  fuch  Prizes,  Articles, 
Conditions,  and  Limitations,  as  to  them,  the  faid  Treafurer  and 
Company,  in  their  Difcretions,  (hall  feem  convenient : 

XVIII.  And  that  it  fhall  and  may  be  lawful,  to  and  for  the 
faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  to  eled  and  choofe  Receivers, 
Auditors,  Surveyors,  Commiffioners,  or  any  other  Officers  what- 
foever,  at  their  Will  and  Pleafure,  for  the  better  marfhalling, 
difpofing,  guiding,  and  governing  of  the  faid  Lottery  and  Lot- 
teries ;  And  that  it  fhall  likewife  be  lawful,  to  and  for  the  faid 
Treafurer  and  any  two  of  the  faid  Council,  to  minifler  to  all  and 
every  fuch  Perfon,  fo  eleded  and  chofen  for  Officers,  as  afore- 
faid,  one  or  more  Oaths,  for  their  good  Behaviour,  juft  and  true 
Dealing,  in  and  about  the  faid  Lottery  or  Lotteries,  to  the  In- 
tent and  Purpofe,  that  none  of  our  loving  Subjefts,  putting  in 
their  Names,  or  otherwife  adventuring  in  the  faid  general  Lot- 
tery or  Lotteries,  may  be,  in  any  wife,  defrauded  and  deceived 
of  their  faid  Monies,  or  evil  and  indireftly  dealt  withal  in  their 
faid  Adventures. 

XIX.  A  N  D  we  fiirther  Grant,  in  Manner  and  Form  afore- 
faid,  that  it  fhall  and  may  be  lawful,  to  and  for  the  faid  Trea- 
furer and  Company,  under  the  Seal  of  our  faid  Council  for  the 
Plantation,  to  publifh,  or  to  caufe  and  procure  to  be  publifhed, 
by  Proclamation  or  otherwife  (the  faid  Proclamation  to  be  made 
in  their  Name,  by  Virtue  of  thefe  Prefents)  the  faid  Lottery  or 
Lotteries,  in  all  Cities,  Towns,  Burroughs,  and 
other  Places,  within  our  faid  Realm  of  England ;  And  we  Will 
and  Command  all  J  Mayors,  Juflices  of  Peace,  Sherifs,  Bailiffs, 
Conflables,  and  other  Officers  and  loving  Subjedls,  whatfoever, 
that,  in  no  wife,  they  hinder  or  delay  the  Progrefs  and  Proceed- 
ings of  the  faid  Lottery  or  Lotteries,  but  be  therein,  touching 
the  Premifes,  aiding  and  affifting,  by  all  honeft,  good,  and  law- 
ful Means  and  Endeavours. 

XX.  And  further,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  that  in  all  Que- 
ftions  and  Doubts,  that  fhall  arife,  upon  any  Difficulty  f  of  Con- 
ftrudlion  or  Interpretation  of  any  thing,  contained  in  thefe,  or 
any  other  our  former  Letters  Patents,  the  fame  fhall  be  taken 
and  interpreted,  in  moft  ample  and  beneficial  Manner  for  the  faid 
Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  SuccefTors,  and  every  Mem- 
ber thereof 

XXI.  And  laflly,  we  do,  by  thefe  Prefents,  ratify  and 
CONFIRM  unto  the  faid  Treafurer  and  Company,  and  their  Suc- 
cefTors, for  ever,  all  and  all  Manner  of  Privileges,  Franchifes, 
Liberties,  Immunities,  Preheminences,  Profits,  and  Commodi- 
ties, whatfoever,  granted  unto  them  in  any  our  former  Letters 
Patents,  and  not  in  thefe  Prefents  revoked,  altered,  changed,  or 
abridged.  Although  exprefs  Mention  of  the  true  Yearly  Va- 
lue   or    Certainty    of  the  Premifes,  or  any  of  them,   or  of  any 

X  M.  S.  Mayor.  \  M.  S.  or. 

D  d  2  Other 


32  The  Company's  Charter  for  a  Council 

other  Gift  or  Grant,  by  Us  or  any  of  our  Progenitors  or  Prede- 
ceflbrs,  to  the  aforefaid  Treafurer  and  Company  heretofore  made, 
in  thefe  Prefents  is  not  made  ;  Or  any  Statute,  Aft,  Ordinance, 
Provifion,  Proclamation,  or  Reftraint,  to  the  contrary  thereof 
heretofore  made,  ordained,  or  provided,  or  any  other  Matter, 
Caufe,  or  thing,  whatfoever,  to  the  contrary,  in  any  wife,  not- 
withftanding. 

In  Witness  whereof  we  have  caufed  thefe  our  Letters  to 
be  made  Patents.  Witnefs  Ourfelf,  at  Wejiminjler,  the  twelfth 
Day  of  March,  in  the  ninth  Year  of  our  Reign  of  England, 
France,  and  Ireland,  and  of  Scotland  the  five  and  fortieth. 


NO.   IV. 

Jn  Ordinance  and  Conjiitution  of  the  Treafurer^  Council^  and 
Company  in  England,  for  a  Council  of  State  and  General 
Afjemhly,      Dated  July  24,  1 62 1. 

I.  ^~T~^  O  all  People,  to  whom  thefe  Prefents  fhall  come,  be 
1  feen,  or  heard.  The  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Com- 
pany of  Adventurers  and  Planters  for  the  City  of  London  for  the 
firft  Colony  of  Virginia,  fend  Greeting.  Know  ye,  that  we, 
the  faid  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Company,  taking  into  our  care- 
ful Confideration  the  prefent  State  of  the  faid  Colony  of  Virgi- 
nia, and  intending,  by  the  Divine  Affiftance,  to  fettle  fuch  a 
Form  of  Government  there,  as  may  be  to  the  greateft  Benefit 
and  Comfort  of  the  People,  and  whereby  all  Injuftice,  Grie- 
vances, and  Oppreflion  may  be  prevented  and  kept  off  as  much 
as  poflible  from  the  faid  Colony,  have  thought  fit  to  make  our 
Entrance,  by  ordering  and  eftabliflaing  fuch  Supreme  Councils,  as 
may  not  only  be  aflifting  to  the  Governor  for  the  time  being,  in 
the  Adminiftration  of  Juftice,  and  the  Executing  of  other  Du- 
ties to  this  Office  belonging,  but  alfo,  by  their  vigilant  Care 
and  Prudence,  may  provide,  as  well  for  a  Remedy  of  all  Incon- 
veniences, growing  from  time  to  time,  as  alfo  for  advancing  of 
Increafe,  Strength,  Stability,    and    Profperity  of  the   faid   Colony  : 

II.  W  E  therefore,  the  faid  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Compa- 
ny, *  by  Authority  direfted  to  us  from  his  Majefty  under  the 
Great    Seal,    upon     mature    Deliberation,    do    hereby    order    and 

N^eclare,  that,  from  hence  forward,  there  (hall  be  two  supreme 
Councils  in  Virginia,  for  the  better  Government  of  the  faid 
Colony  aforefaid. 

III.  The  one  of  which  Councils,  to  be  called  The  Coun- 
V  ciL  OF  State   (and  whofe  Office   fhall  chiefly  be  affifting,  with 

their  Care,  Advice,   and  Circumfpedlion,   to   the   faid   Governor) 
fhall  be  chofen,  nominated,  placed,  and  difplaced,  from   time  to 

*  Vide  Sea.   XIV.   and   XXIII.   of  the  fecond   Charter,   and   Seft.  VIII. 

of  the  third. 

time. 


of  State  and  General  Affembly,  July  24,  1621.  33 

time,  by  Us,  the  faid  Treafurer,  Council,  and  Company,  and 
our  SuccefTors  :  Which  Council  of  State  Ihall  confift,  for  the  pre- 
fent,  only  of  thefe  Perfons,  as  are  here  inferted,  viz.  Sir  Francis 
Wyat,  X  Governor  of  Virginia,  Captain  Francis  JV^Jl,  Sir  George 
Yeardley,  Knight,  Sir  William  Neuce,  Knight  Marfhal  of  Virginia, 
Mr.  George  Sandys,  Treafurer,  Mr.  George  f  Thorpe,  Deputy  of 
the  College,  Captain  Thomas  Neuce,  Deputy  for  the  Company, 
Mr.  PazL'let,  Mr.  Leech,  Captain  Nathaniel  Powel,  Mr.  Chrijio- 
pher  Davifon,  Secretary,  Doftor  Pots,  Phyfician  to  the  Company, 
Mr.  Roger  Smith,  Mr.  John  Berkeley,  Mr.  John  Rolfe,  Mr.  Ralph 
Hamer,  Mr.  John  *  Pountis,  Mr.  Michael  Lapivorth,  Mr.  Ear- 
wood,  Mr.  Samuel  Macock.  Which  faid  Counfellors  and  Council 
we  earneftly  pray  and  defire,  and  in  his  Majefty's  Name  ftriftly 
charge  and  command,  that  (all  Faftions,  Partiahties,  and  finifter 
Refpeft  laid  afide)  they  bend  their  Care  and  Endeavours  to  affift 
the  faid  Governor ;  firft  and  principally,  in  the  Advancement  of 
the  Honour  and  Service  of  God,  and  the  Enlargement  of  his 
Kingdom  amongft  the  Heathen  People ;  and  next,  in  eredling  of 
the  faid  Colony  in  due  Obedience  to  his  Majefty,  and  all  lawful 
Authority  from  his  Majefty's  Diredlions ;  and  laftly,  in  maintain- 
ing the  faid  People  in  Juftice  and  Chnjlian  Converfation  amongft 
themfelves,  and  in  Strength  and  Ability  to  withftand  their  Ene- 
mies. And  this  Council,  to  be  always,  or  for  the  moft  Part,  re- 
liding  about  or  near  the  Governor. 

IV.  The  other  Council,  more  generally  to  be  called  by  the 
Governor,  once  Yearly,  and  no  §  oftener,  but  for  ||  very  extra-  '^ 
ordinary  and  important  Occafions,  fhall  confift,  **  for  the  prefent, 
of  the  faid  Council  of  State,  and  of  two  BurgefTes  out  of  every 
Town,  Hundred,  or  other  particular  Plantation,  to  be  refpedldve- 
ly  chofen  by  the  Inhabitants :  Which  Council  fhall  be  called 
The  General  Assembly,  wherein  (as  alfo  in  the  faid  Council 
of  State)  all  Matters  fhall  be  decided,  determined,  and  ordered, 
by  the  greater  Part  of  the  Voices  then  prefent ;  referving  to  the 
Governor  always  a  Negative  Voice.  And  this  General  Affembly 
fhall  have  free  Power  to  treat,  confult,  and  conclude,  as  well  of  all 
emergent  Occafions  concerning  the  Publick  Weal  of  the  faid  Co- 
lony and  every  Part  thereof,  as  alfo  to  make,  ordain,  and  enaft 
fuch  general  Laws  and  Orders,  for  the  Behoof  of  the  faid  Colony, 
and  the  good  Government  thereof,  as  fhall,  from  time  to  time, 
appear  neceffary  or  requifite  ; 

V.  Whereas  in  all  other  Things,  we  require  the  faid  General 
Affembly,  as  alfo  the  faid  Council  of  State,  to  imitate  and  follow 

\  It  is  to  be  noted,  that  the  Governor  is  always  Inferted  in  the  old  Com- 
miffions,  as  a  Part,  and  the  Head  of  the  Council  of  State. 

\  M.  S.  Thome  ;  but  as  I  am  perfedly  well  acquainted  with  thefe  Names 
and  Perfons,  by  perufing  the  ancient  Records,  I  fliall  take  the  Liberty  of  cor- 
refting  the  Errors  of  the  Tranfcriber. 

*   M.  S.   Doivntus. 

§  M.  S.  officer. 

II  M.  S.  "very  and  extraordinary  important ;  which  likewife  makes  Senfe, 
taking  extraordinary  adverbially. 

**    M.  S.  for  prefent. 

the 


34  The  Company's  Charter  for  a  Council  &c. 

the  Policy  of  the  Form  of  Government,  Laws,  Cuftoms,  and 
Manner  of  Trial,  and  other  Adminiftration  of  Juftice,  ufed  in  the 
Realm  of  England,  as  near  as  may  be,  even  as  ourfelves,  by  his 
Majefty's  Letters  Patent,  are  required. 

VL  Provided,  that  no  Law  or  Ordinance,  made  in  the  faid 
General  Aflembly,  fhall  be  or  continue  in  Force  or  Validity, 
unlefs  the  fame  fhall  be  folemnly  ratified  and  confirmed,  in  a 
General  Quarter  Court  of  the  faid  *  Company  here  in  England, 
^  and  fo  ratified,  be  returned  to  them  under  our  Seal ;  It  being 
our  Intent  to  afford  the  like  Meafure  alfo  unto  the  faid  Colony, 
that  after  the  Government  of  the  faid  Colony  fhall  once  have 
been  well  framed,  and  fettled  accordingly,  which  is  to  be  done 
by  Us,  as  by  Authority  derived  from  his  Majefty,  and  the  fame 
fhall  have  been  fo  by  us  declared,  no  Orders  of  Court  after- 
wards fhall  bind  the  faid  Colony,  unlefs  they  be  ratified  in  like 
Manner  in  the  General  Affemblies.  In  Witness  whereof  we 
have  hereunto  fet  our  Common  Seal,  the  24th  of  July  1621, 
and  in  the  Year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  J^AMES, 
King  of  England  &c.  the  ****  and  of  Scotland  the  ****. 


*  M.  S.   Court. 


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